Personal Revelations

Hello there lovelys! Long time, no talk!

Ok, so I feel like I say that in every other post, and I am pretty sure I just need to knock it off! So what if it has been a while? I know there are certain "rules" for blogging and what not, and I definitely agree with most of them, but I am trying to remember that I don't do well when I am "restricted". :)

I am a pretty creative person, and it is hard for me to stick to doing one thing over and over again, which is why I love making my keshis. They are all OOAK, so there is always something new to discover, even if the basic principles are the same each time. This is how I feel about blogging. The same basic principles are there... engaging content, striking photos, good grammar and spelling, etc. But I need my posts to have that "OOAK" feel, or I will get real bored, real fast.

This is not to say that I won't have some sort of continuity and consistency, but I thought that when I started this blog I had to stick to craft-related items since that is what my "business" is all about. However, I have come to realize that I enjoy more of the "lifestyle" vibe. This way, I can write about whatever the heck I want, as long as it is somewhat interesting and can have a nice picture or two to accompany it. :)

I know that I will still want to have some structure, and I will only write about things that I actually like, so there will be a relatively short list of things I blather on about here. But I wanna blather on about more than just craft-related things! We all grow and change and there is nothing wrong with that, so why not create things that reflect those changes?

The whole point of blogging for me has become more than just getting my keshis noticed by a few more people. It has become something that I want to do in order to connect, explore, inspire, and be inspired by.

I do hope that you continue to pop in and enjoy this crazy thing I call life right along with me. We are all just a bunch of friends, sittin' around a table, sipping yummy drinks, eating yummy snacks, and chatting away for longer than any of us realize. And I can't wait to see you next time! Bring along some of those scrumptious chocolate chunk cookies of yours, won't you? ;)

xoxo

A Closer Look :: Inspiration Board

 

As mentioned yesterday, I wanted to share with you a little bit about what I have chosen to include on my new inspiration board with a few detail shots. :)

Okie dokie, let's start with the top half of the board. And, just so you know, I am going to skip some things and just tell you about the some of the more special items. Not everything on here has a story worth mentioning! :D

~ The little spider web in the left corner used to be a Christmas ornament. It was always one of my favorites to put on the tree every year, and the whole thing is covered in glitter. The little spider body is a seashell actually. A couple of years ago, my mom gave it to me to put on my own Christmas tree. Little did she know, M and I are usually too lazy to even put up a tree (gotta be honest!) so this little guy has a permanent residency in my office instead. I'm secretly hoping he will keep the REAL spiders away, and so far, so good!

~ Next we have another gift from my mom, a copper plate that says, "Be bold & mighty forces will come to your aid."

~ Carousel Card. A couple of years ago, I became mildly obsessed with carousels.... no idea why, but if I saw something with some sort of carousel image, I had to have it (this is actually still true :D). I also really love the sentiment on this card, "May you be happy always."

~ I am a very firm believer that I am responsible for the direction of my life. I have the power to make any dream come true, and to change anything that doesn't work for me. This is why I love this quote, "Dream your dreams with open eyes and make them come true." I will never be a victim of circumstances.

~ See that adorable little skeleton key? I have had that thing for 20 years, through countless moves and everything! I received it just before starting first grade at The Waldorf School on Whidbey Island, a very weird yet endearing "alternative" school that I attended for about half of the year. I don't remember learning a single academic thing, but I do remember making my own knitting needles and beginning to learn to knit! Oh, and also making little beeswax figures to accompany some local "legend" that a prince buried treasure in the woods behind the school (which we went to go find, and instead found a giant bee's nest.... shiver...). Needless to say, it's probably a good thing that I am naturally pretty intelligent because I lost a few months of my education while I was there. :) I had an incredibly fun time there however, and what little kid doesn't like the idea of a little fantasy?

~ Couple of keshis!! The one on the left is an image of Demetra, printed on the back of one my business cards. She is currently living with my grandmother on Whidbey Island. :) The two on the right are creations from the FABULOUS Brigitte of Zombuki fame. She is my ultimate inspiration for beginning to play around with my very own version of the kokeshi doll and I will forever be a fan of her amazing work!

If you have any other questions about some of the things I didn't mention, feel free to ask! I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into what keeps me inspired, and stay tuned for a proper "studio tour" coming up soon!

xoxo

A New Adventure

For the past 3.5 months, I have been riding the roller coaster of a corporate merger and today is my first day as an employee of the NEW Essex! It has certainly been a bittersweet, emotional couple of days since the official "yes" vote came through from our shareholders.

BRE Properties (the company I have worked for for the past 3.5 years, up until yesterday) has been such an amazing company to work for. I have felt like I have been a part of a huge, loving, supportive family and I am so happy that I get to enjoy this next chapter with (almost) everyone.

Change is scary and exciting and I am 99% ready for the change coming our way, but I have allowed myself to mourn the loss of the family that I have known for several years. I think it is absolutely necessary to allow yourself to feel anything and everything in order to fully appreciate the experience.

A couple of weeks ago we had our Annual Leadership Conference. This is when we all get together and celebrate the successes of the previous year with fun awards and look forward to what our goals are going to be for the upcoming year.

However, things were a little different this time. We still had our awards ceremony, but it was more of a reflection and celebration of the past 43 years as a company. At the end of the day, it felt like the last day of school. The sun was shining, and we all said goodbye to each other, knowing that we would never have this same moment again. If I had had a yearbook, I know it would have been filled with "stay cool"'s and "have a great summer"'s. The next time we are in the same room, it will be a whole new class, and we will be the freshmen.

So now we embark on a new adventure, as part of a family that will be 3 times the size it was before. There will be growing pains and good times, and ultimately a wonderfully challenging experience for all of us.

"It's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I would much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure."

~Ernie Harwell

I plan on taking a big ol' step onto this new, uncharted path with zero little (I am still human after all!!) hesitation and enjoying the scenery, and I encourage you all to do the same whenever you have the chance. You never know what will be around the next corner! Cheers to new places and new faces!

It's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure.

Ernie Harwell

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/adventure.html#D3JybA7bPa847Whm.