Photoshoot

Spent my sunday afternoon photographing my pieces. With the help of my boyfriend Adam and his fancy nikon camera, I got some great shots!

Networking

Just had a great conversation with a coworker about the crafting network in Toronto.  She gave me great links to the toronto bead society, the upcoming creativfestival in October (its full of classes, seminars and booths for vendors), and some tips and ideas for packaging my product.

I had no idea she was into all of this great stuff!! I love learning about peoples hobbies; especially ones I have experience with.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

My Etsy Shop is finally open!!

http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/RecycledBeauty4u

My Little Helper

Peaceful Monday

It was a very productive day! After spending the early afternoon at Oakvilles Annual Art in the Park, I found my inspiration and made some fabulous pieces. I set myself up on the back deck and managed to create three beautiful necklaces! It was the perfect way to spend the final moments of the long weekend!

Blogging for Inspiration

For all you crafty people out there, or maybe just those trying to find happiness.

  I picked up this amazing book by Kari Chapin called "The Handmade Marketplace". It is amazing!
Finding this book was like fate! I had started jewelry making as a hobbie - I fell in love with it! We'll call it a successful chapter of finding myself (we'll talk about that another time). This book has been by my side ever since. One of the topics discussed is to start a blog. Blogging allows you to talk about things like your ideas, your struggles and accomplishments. You can tap into communities, trends and social networks that have the same interests as you.

Coincidentally, I've also been reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. I think the name is self explanatory. The author puts herself through a 12 month project. Each month is a new step and theme towards filling her life with more happiness. I happened to come along a chapter about Aiming Higher. She talks about dealing with the fun of failure, asking for help, working smart and low and be hold: start a blog.

So here we are.

Finding time to be creative!

Why is it when I have free time to focus on my projects - I just cant seem to find inspiration, or the ability to sit still and focus. However, 5 minutes before we're about to walk out the door for a friends party I am overcome with the urge to make jewelry - ideas start coming to me. This also happens when I'm at work, sitting on my desk trying to focus on the task at hand - my creative juices start flowing and all I can think about is making a necklace. Creativity doesn't just come to you. You can't just snap your fingers and expect to create something outstanding. If that were the case I think I would have doubled my inventory by now. 

 Today for instance, I had put time aside to be creative - instead I decided to reorganize my beads and findings. Sure I have lots of great ideas - but I cant seem to focus. I will say - when I do get that stroke of creativity and I'm in the right place at the right time - I have created some pieces that I am really proud of!