Settling in to 2010

I have been off the grid the last month with lots of family time and gearing up for an amazing new year. As 2009 came to a close I was confused about my focus and what I wanted from the new year. I decided to put it out in the universe and sure enough,clarity came. My focus in the next few months will be growing my Etsy shops, spending time with my family and healing my body. Art school is going to have to be a secondary priority. I am not sure if that means taking the semester off or taking a light load of core classes on line; fortunately, I have a few more weeks to flush that out.
What I know is that being present in my life is too hard when I am juggling so much. I want time to read to my kids, take walks with my husband, get back to yoga and focus on alternative medicine to resolve my chronic pain. My creativity will still be fed through my Etsy shops but my business is at a point where it needs more of my attention so it can continue to bloom. I am blessed with clients who have lots of work for me and two Etsy shops that have exploded into flourishing enterprises. Nurturing my business and enjoying the fruits of my labor is more than enough excitement for this busy lady..

2010 has been already been fruitful. I have been busy posting treasures in my shops and shipping out orders daily. I have been getting acupuncture, physical therapy and attending biofeedback training. I have been spending time with my family and getting out of the house regardless of my pain. I have been physically active and eating much more healthy. I have recommitted to my recovery and am making every effort to live in the solution rather than the problem. I keep reminding myself that even the smallest change in direction, eventually takes you to a totally different place. I lost too much of 2009 "enduring" the pain of my trigeminal neuralgia (type 2). I want to live not endure!

That said, I am super excited about the amazing estate lot I just recently acquired. Over 500 gorgeous vintage jewelry pieces in impeccable condition. This kind of find is rare and I am committed to sharing the values with my customers. I have already listed 100 new items at wholesale or lower prices. I have had several jewelry shops buying up items to resell in their shops and collectors who are ecstatic to find so many quality pieces at such reasonable prices. It is delightful to encounter happy customer on such a regular basis. I just recently sold an item to Dr. Robi Ludwig who I have seen on TV many times. What fun!


On another note, I am trying to do something for the Haiti Earthquake relief fund. I am donating the shipping fees from each sale to the Red Cross and I am covering the shipping costs to get those items to the buyer. I felt so helpless watching the story unfold on the television. This makes me feel like I am helping in my own small way while raising awareness of the need for assistance.

With all of that in mind, I selected my "one little word" to support my efforts. I chose "healing". Whether it is healing wounds, hearts or problems, I choose to seek a solution and support resolution. Cowering to obstacles and procrastination have not been successful approaches in my experience, so I am making conscious commitment to healing, allowing for both organic and personal growth.

So that is what life looks like in January 2010. I am excited to live the months ahead and watch life unfold. I intend to be more regular with my blogging and I'll be sending out a quarterly newsletter with project instructions, vintage information and resources and other tidbits of relevant news. Please become a blog follower (on the left) if you would like to receive these e-newsletters. Happy New Year Everyone!

So I’m included in a Treasury, now what?

I just got an Etsy "convo" letting me know that I have been included in another treasury. This is my 4th time being included in a treasury and it feels like a honor but is it? Well I did a little research and found this great article by posted by Diana Rajchel . I thought I pass on this fantastic information for those of you who are wondering "so what?"

Let’s say you wake up one morning and you find a convo in your Etsybox: you’re in a treasury! Of course you should go, click, and post a comment thanking the curator. It’s the gracious thing to do, after all. And you could just leave it at that. Treasuries are random, low-traffic things with a short lifespan. Why make a fuss?

Here’s why:

Etsy admin looks through treasuries for front page ideas. While we on Etsy are still subject to admin’s whims and limitations, it does at least give us a chance to present new ideas to them.

So when your item is included in a treasury, you are being nominated by someone as front-page worthy. It’s like receiving a neighborhood association award: it means something to the person who picked you, and it might mean something to you.

If you assume the attitude that you’ve essentially received a small award, you should proceed as you would with any other award: tell the world. You’re helping bring more attention to your item and the items of others and it gives you a little bit of content for your social networking sites. Just grab a screenshot – you can use the print screen function on your desktop or one of three or four add-ons available in mozilla – and you can upload the image to your respective accounts. I’ve even gone so far as to add my treasuries to Etsy-treasury specific groups on flickr.

Places to Go with your Treasury Screenshot and What to Do when You’re There:

Myspace
Add it to your slideshow. Create a 500 pixel image with a link back to the treasury and post it in bulletins. Ask people to click.

Twitter
Tweet it no more than twice. Add a link.

Your personal blog
Post the image. Say how it makes you feel.

Facebook
Add it to your notes field.

Your Etsy shop
Include a link in your shop announcement, just be sure to take it down as soon as the treasury expires.

You can also talk about it in forums in the appropriate areas – Etsy pretty much keeps you to Promotions, but it still can get some play there if your treasury is attention-worthy. I’m not suggesting you drop everything when you get in a treasury, but doing one or two of these things can help inch you up that path of recognition.

Painting Spree - almost there!

It has been really intense painting so much these last 10 days. Essentially, I started this run last Tuesday afternoon, took a 3 day break over the weekend due to various commitments and have been painting like crazy ever since. I finished the casual composition painting and got my grade back: a B-.

My work is improving but there is a part of me that feels frustrated that I was not able to put more time into the important details. Normally, I would have had a week to complete each painting - the suggested time dedicated was 12-20 hours per piece. Obviously, I did not invest that into my work which means I missed the end game. The part where you see what is there rather than what you know. The lock down vibe where it is just you and the canvas. Sometimes I love this but, to be honest, it also REALLY stresses me out because I had destroyed a good painting last April while in this zone.

It was a lot of wet on wet work and I went into an intuitive frenzy, painting what I "felt" rather than what I saw. Next thing I knew my perspective was demolished, my ellipses where cockeyed and there was no reconciliation. I'm eager to address that fear before closing this chapter because it will be at least 6 months before I pick up a brush for any kind of school work. I don't want that anxiety festering.

Hence, of my last 2 assignments, one was offered as extra credit - flowers. I really want to learn flowers so I am going to combine a high key with a floral set up so I have 2 days to work through it and learn everything the class has to offer. The last required painting was our choice - either a casual set up or High Key. I really like High Key but have mixed emotions about how my last piece came out.

High Key set Up (light values)

On one hand I love what I did here. There is a Renaissance feel to it that speaks to me. On the other hand, I know I could have push it so much further and I have issues with the bowl ellipses which I am sure everyone can see but I hate to draw attention to. (I would love it if ppl. thought it was intentional and brilliant - denial is a powerful thing).

Finished painting using only light colors to define objects and shadows

My low key painting was definitely harder. In the composition, the right side of the bowl disappeared into the shadows although the set up photo does not show this because I don't know how to photograph in that low of life light with my camera.

Every time I tried to take a picture with the light turned low, the camera would leave the shutter open for 5-10 seconds and the picture would come out blurry. There was just no room to pull out the tripod. The challenge was making the bowl disappear while communicating the depth between the foreground and background.. Also, in order to retain the lighting, I had to depend entirely on the otto light I have mounted to my easel. This light caused a lot of refection on the canvas so I could not always see the subtle changes in color. Blah, Blah, Blah... it came out as it came out. I was done- I ran out of patience and the clock was ticking.

Last night I posted a treasure trove of new items on my Esty shop. I've had these beauties for a few weeks now but did not have time to photograph nor post them. Last night, I needed the change in pace so I got busy. I have a lot more to add but first things first.

Tomorrow I'll turn in the last painting and then I have to prepare 20 tag album kits for camp on Tuesday which is a really nice creative transition. I am also looking forward to playing with my kiddos, cleaning this house and earning some moola. I'm working with a new client on Sunday which is going to be SUPER fun! I'm teacher her daughter how to scrapbook while creating an album for a friend...Teach a man to fish kind of thing.

I can't wait to hear from back porch quilters on the status of my quilt. I hope it has arrived in North Carolina! I'll check on that today. Busy, but loving that my todo's have nothing to do with dry cleaning nor spread sheets - just art, life, art!

Nothing Better than a HAPPY CUSTOMER

CRACKER JACK BRACELET - SOLD

I received a wonderful email this morning from one of my Etsy customers. I shipped the "Cracker Jack" bracelet off to Australia last week and she received it yesterday as her note reads:

"Hi Jilliene,
Parcel arrived today and it is just stunning! I broke the bangle I always wear on the right hand recently and have been feeling naked without something there. Thank you very much for letting me take home this piece. I find everything about it makes me smile and I will certainly be back in the middle of 2009 to discuss a project with you. Thinking of requesting a couple of pieces to be made, if you have time. Anyhow if I don't speak to you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. "

I am all smiles. My kids and I have been sick and it has taken a toll. This was the shot in the arm I needed. Poor Aidan had a 3 week virus turn into pneumonia last week and our little Eva has been home for the past 4 days with a fever, cough and congestion. Both kids have been glued to my side - there are just somethings in life that require mommy. I have been a full time nurse and part time patient (once my husband comes home, it is my turn to whine.) Unfortunately, my responsibilities at my part time job and as a part time student have been neglected which stresses me out. I also have a serious case of cabin fever. This email from my happy customer came at the perfect time!

New Goodies on Etsy

I have added a few more fun things to my Etsy shop.

You know what cracks me up? Everything I list to Etsy is something I would buy. I completely indulge my own interests and obsessions by creating items that I want.. I just added two different Ephemera packs that include everything I love playing with these days. Then I priced it to what I would feel good about paying (I tried to make it a deal so it is extra exciting to buy). It really is so fun!

Etsy Extravaganza!!!

Holy Moly - I've been a beading fool these last couple of weeks. I am way behind in just about everything and instead of tackling "the list", I bead beautiful, whimsical things and I feel happy and safe and calm in a world that does not feel familiar to me. Our times seem uncertain, volitle and troubled and yet, when I sit quietly and create for the sole sake of creative expression, I am Ok. This is my reprive, my repose, my oasis. (smile) Thank God.

I have updated my Etsy Shop with most of the new items although I have a few more to photograph. I have also set aside a couple of pieces for Christmas gifts.

Button Blooms!

Jeepers Creepers - I cannot believe how quickly time flies when you are having fun and I certainly am having a ball! I have officially launched a new product through Jilliene Designs which I call "Button Blooms." I've updated the website, created a marketing piece, updated my etsy shop, and have started spreading the word. Friends have been sending out my information via email and I have already sold several arrangements! I've registered for two upcoming art and craft fairs and am looking a couple others. I am just loving the response and the process of creating these little joy blossoms!

The best part is that I can make them while hanging out with the family! Usually I need to sequester myself from little hands and distracting conversations when creating, but I am able to assemble button blooms without needing a large workspace or a lot of supplies. I have everything I need organized into a basket which I bring out to the backyard, the playroom and even to the park!

New Altered Cookie Sheet "Countdown to Christmas" Advent Calendar

I've finally completed another altered cookie sheet advent calendar. It was such a challenging project because I wanted to use totally different embellishments than those I had used on the first. I had so much fun dressing up die cuts and clip art into 3-D Christmas decorations. I have listed both calendars and a few other mini albums I created on Esty.
I have also been working on a Desk Calendar which has been very time consuming because I'm "cooking" without a recipe. I've had to reconstruct, rethink, recreate a number of elements but it is finally coming together. I'll post the final product once it is completed.
I've also been creating lots of Christmas gifts which is so much fun. I placed gigantic orders at Costco photo center and Snapfish so I have plenty of great photos to work with. Now I have to commit to the placements. I bought a canvas for large wall layout for my mom and the GIGANTIC scrapbooking coordinated set at Costco to create albums for Tim's family in Texas. I can't post the projects until Dec 26th because I don't want friends and family to see their treats before Christmas. i love the holidays!