The last few hours, I’ve been feeling like a robot.  Sometimes, I get into a mode when I’m overwhelmed with so much I have to do and my mind whirls – specifically the robot part – and I just want to give up and do nothing but my perfectionist won’t let me just get by with the minimum tasks and I do more than I have to which makes for a frustrated resentful me.

Thankfully, all it takes is a reminder, specifically a thought of gratitude, to stop the crazy whirling.  So I took a breather in the middle of making this little dude, thought of how grateful I am to be alive and made this Robot for a customer in a better state than previous.  I think it makes a difference for recipients when I make things with Love in my heart.  I believe my vibes will get sown, stuffed or glued into what I’m making and I surely want to be responsible rather than robot-like when sending out my energy out into the world.

“Nothing is true in self-discovery unless it is true in your own experience. This is the only protection against the robot levels of the mind.” ~Barry Long

I’m just playing around with some necklace designs in this photo.  I’m wearing the tiara just because and why not?  Doesn’t everyone where a tiara when they are crafting?

“When hope is not pinned wriggling onto a shiny image or expectation, it sometimes floats forth and opens.” ~Anne Lamott

I really hope that my love of leopard print dies down a little.  I would hate to be known as “that crazy leopard print lady” :-D.  Note that I’m wearing another version of the “Spring Time” book flower wrist corsage which will soon be in the online store.  I believe the one I’m wearing on this photo is still on sale at reFINDesign (1122 High St. in the Short North) for those in Columbus, OH.  It’s an amazing space that just opened so check it out!

By the way, the store on this site will soon be composed of more than my Etsy stuff in order to accomodate the non-vintage and non-handmade items I’ve got that I know will be a treasure for others.  It’s hard to part with some things but I simply can’t horde all the baubles, leopard prints and other pretty/shiny things to myself!

In other news, I’m so pumped doing this refresher Landmark Education seminar! I’ve already gotten some great results from the first class last Wednesday night.  The tools just makes life easier and an overall empowering experience for everyone I’ve known that has done it.  All in all, it has made my life more enjoyable and I believe those around me too.  My fiance is certainly more pleasant to be around and our relationship has gone up a zillion notches since he finished the course a few weeks ago.

I just got off the phone with my Landmark group and am feeling philosophical.  I looked at this photo and it got me thinking about all the things we are committed to in our lives and how and with what we fill ourselves up with in order to keep going.  A little metaphor to get you thinking and also a little play on words in the reminder below in the photo caption for all you graduates out there ;-)

Be mindful of what you fill your tank with, lest you hurt yourself and others should you have a breakdown.

Tonight, here in Columbus OH, was the monthly Short North’s Gallery Hop which was also an opening night for reFINDesign, an awesome arty store/workshop that is all about showcasing upcycle artists like moi and providing an atmosphere for sustainable thinking.  And I manged to make a sale!  Here is my first customer wearing her “Stop and Read the Roses” hairpin accented with feathers.  These will make it to the shop very soon so stay tuned if interested or message me for a request.

My lovely first customer wearing the newly purchased hairpin and I'm wearing a new product soon to be in the shop, the "Spring Time" wrist watch band corsage.

Ronnie the Robot and Wild Warren having a picnic

I just made these guys and I don’t know if it’s their silly faces or big lovey hearts but they keep making me smile!  They are currently staying on our couch as guests but will soon be shipped off to friends as presents.  I’m also making more and have put them up for adoption via my ETSY shop.  Buy one for your little loved one for Christmas!

betty draper meets alfred hitchcock

For Halloween this year I was Betty Draper from Madmen.  Here’s a Hitchcock-esque photo shot (with a fake cigarette!) taken in our kitchen.  When posted on facebook, I received queries as to where we got our curtains so I thought I’d post how I made them here.  They were inspired by Design Sponge’s project but I appropriated it to make it easier (see simple tutorial below).

HOW TO MAKE THE CURTAINS: