Leatherwood Designs

Sunday Snapshot

2010-08-29T20:43:00.003-05:00

On Saturday evening we had an opportunity to visit the "Capitol Complex" here in town. The garden features several beautiful bronze statues including this one....

Sunday Snapshot

2010-08-08T21:04:00.002-05:00

Beautifully hued lichens......

Sunday Snapshot

2010-07-25T21:40:00.003-05:00

I LOVE the bounty of summer - fresh fruits and veggies galore!!!!! Today, our neighbor brought us these wonderful cherry tomatoes and they are delicious! Tomorrow, we need to pick, wash and freeze blackberries.

Friday Finds

2010-07-09T21:48:00.005-05:00

This week I found these awesome hand printed "wearable art for babies and tots" from SeedandSprout on Etsy.com. These tees are printed using waterbased paints perfectly safe for little ones! The colors can even be custom mixed to create any color you can imagine. I love this "Growin' like a weed" shirt...

And this "Wildflowers" t-shirt!

The artist creates totally unique designs and even shows a glimps of the creation process....

Buffalo River Visit

2010-06-28T20:58:00.009-05:00

This weekend our family took a quick trip to the Buffalo National River in north Arkansas! The Buffalo River cuts its way eastward through massive limestone bluffs of the Ozark Mountains toward its confluence with the White River.

Unfortunately, the sky was overcast and cloudy. Nonetheless, we still enjoyed splashing about in the river. I loved the Spanish Moss hanging from some of the trees along the bluffs. I wish we could have spent a bit more time enjoying the outdoors - maybe next time.

I even found this TINY, TINY frog along the rocky shoreline! I just couldn't believe how impossibly small this guy was. Isn't nature incredible?

Overall, we had a great weekend and enjoyed our travels.

Friday Finds

2010-06-25T15:21:00.007-05:00

It is time for summer vacation! So, this week I found these great luggage tags from Marmalime on Etsy.com. The luggage tags are made using upcycled white plastic canvas and a map from a vintage atlas.

And you can record notes from your travels in these awesome eco-friendly journals! The journals are made using a unique collections of recycled pages stitched together with hemp cord and feature a map cover from a discarded atlas.

Happy travels and have a great weekend!

Sunday Snapshot

2010-06-20T21:28:00.008-05:00

This weird insect recently showed up at our house. I work with an entomologist, so I was able to find out that it was a mantid fly, also known as a "Lacewing". This one had just emerged, and was not quite "dry". Apparently, they use those spiny, modified front legs that look a bit like claws to catch prey, (other small insects, as the lacewing is less than one inch in length). Very interesting..........

Friday Finds

2010-06-18T20:58:00.007-05:00

This week I found these totally customizable wood blocks from MeMakeStuff on Etsy.com. The blocks are hand painted and distressed to give them a wonderful worn and weathered look. The awesome part is that the wood is salvaged, so it is getting a new lease on life! Yay for upcycling! I could easily envision using these Alphabet Blocks in a kids room, either up on the wall or just sitting pretty on a bookshelf!

Or maybe you need a changeable message board?

Or house numbers?

Slate Coasters

2010-06-16T20:59:00.003-05:00

I was recently inspired by some slate coasters that I saw online. The downside? The edges were really rough! I wanted something rustic, yet a bit more refined. I know, I know - I'm SOOOO picky. So, I decided that I'm crafty and I'll just make my own darn coasters! I had seen the perfect 4*4 inch tumbled slate tiles at the hardware store while we were working on other home improvement projects. I already had some thin cork coasters, which were flimsy on their own, but PERFECT to serve as a backing for the tiles to protect table tops. The only equipment I needed was a hot glue gun - check! I could have also used another adhesive like Liquid Nails or something similar.

The project was a snap and they look fantastic on my dark wood tables in the family room!

Sunday Snapshot

2010-06-13T14:34:00.000-05:00

I know the dandelion is the arch nemesis of gardeners everywhere, but what kid doesn't love to blow the tufted seeds from a perfectly formed seed head? Ahhh.....summer!

Friday Finds

2010-06-11T20:55:00.003-05:00

These great looking drying racks from BallardDesigns.com give clothes full exposure to air. Plus when clothes are dry they fold away, saving valuable floor space! Maybe I can get one of these when I redesign the outdated laundry room in our house.

Maybe, if my laundry room looked like this I would look forward to doing the laundry - well, I doubt it, but hey it couldn't hurt!

Sunday Snapshot

2010-06-06T12:30:00.001-05:00

Life with our little monkey is filled with endearing unexpectedness! SOMEHOW, his toy car got "parked" in my tea! Hummmm - I wonder how that happened???

Currently blooming – late spring

2010-06-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

The warm sunshine has made all my native plants really pop! My Lanceleaf Coreopsis are covered in these lovely deep yellow flowers. The plants have been wonderfully easy to grow, even in our clay soil.

Check out the fuzzy fruits of the Fragrant Sumac shrub (say that five times fast!). The birds are going to love these little berries.

And, one of my personal favorites, Glade Coneflower! All the colors makes coming home in the afternoon such a blessing!

Friday Finds

2010-06-04T17:25:00.000-05:00

I love maps and travel, so these Custom Map Magnets by Daisy Mae Designs on Etsy.com. What a unique way to commemorate the special places of your life – maybe the city of your birth, engagement, wedding or honeymoon!

And, how about these charming International Postmark Magnets!

I can totally see mixing both sets of these magnets to help stylishly organize my home office! With options like these, there is no reason to be caught with boring magnets!

Saturday at the Governor's Garden

2010-05-30T12:46:00.008-05:00

On Saturday evening we had an opportunity to visit the “Governor’s Garden” here in town. Work began on the garden behind the Governor’s Mansion in 1930 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. The garden features beautiful cut limestone walls and this wonderful structure.

The garden is always filled with beautiful plants like this Solomon's Seal (too bad all the flowers were already gone, but what wonderful foliage!).

and this lovely Oak Leaf Hydrangea.....

It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday evening.

Harbor Earrings

2010-05-26T20:56:00.011-05:00

I recently worked with a customer to create a special pair of earrings. I just LOVE the finished product, so I thought I would share them. The A-quality Swiss Blue Topaz briolettes dangle beneath a trio of Smoky Quartz rondelles. All the gems sway beneath my hand formed and lightly hammered French earwires. Harbor Earrings - Reminiscent of crystal blue waters lapping gently at sandy shores. Simply lovely and perfect for summer!

Etsy.com featured by Inc. Magazine

2010-05-24T10:41:00.003-05:00

Inc. Magazine recently published an article about Etsy.com. While it doesn't provide a lot of insight to Etsy sellers, it does generate some great publicity for the site and selling handmade in general. And as the saying goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats."

Here Comes the Sun

2010-05-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

I know it may sound silly, but after not seeing the sun for almost a week the sight of this blue sky and white puffy clouds was absolutely heaven! Even some plants in my garden look weepy and in want of sunshine. So we are all hoping to see more of the sun this weekend!

I'll be taking a bit of a break this weekend to spend some time with family! I hope you and yours have a great weekend!

Rain, rain, go away!

2010-05-17T21:08:00.001-05:00

To say that it has been rainy lately is an understatement! In our area, we have gotten almost 5 inches of rain in the first half of May alone. Recently, I noticed raindrops glistening like gems on the leaves of our small Redbud tree that we transplanted earlier this spring. The upside to all this rain is that we haven’t needed to water the new tree.

Friday Finds

2010-05-14T21:45:00.000-05:00

I just love these Scrabble Tile Wine Charms by AmandaRae Handmade on Etsy.com! These wine charms easily identify your guest's wine glass with style at your next party. The front sides of the charms feature brightly colored designs sealed with a durable resin, while the back sides still display the Scrabble Tile letters. Shhhh....don't tell, but when your not hosting a party these charms are pretty and durable enough to slip on a necklace and wear as a pendant!!!

Dusk Earrings

2010-05-13T22:00:00.000-05:00

I've been wanting some pink earrings, but not "girly-girly" pink. So, I choose faceted Rose Quartz, dusky pink fresh water pearl and combined the gemstone with lots of oxidized sterling silver. I just love the contrast of the blackened silver with the softness of the pink colors.

Dusk Earrings

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-12T21:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T20:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day all! Here is a bit of the crafty goodness that I received today, a lovely lavender origami flower.....

And hubby added some dasies to my native flower gardens.

It was a great day shared with family. I hope you had a wonderful day as well!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Friday Finds

2010-04-23T20:10:00.000-05:00

It is never too early to start teaching kids to love and appreciate the earth. Show your respect for Mother Earth with this super cute kids organic t-shirt for your little recycler made by MamaMade on Etsy.com.

Happy Earth Day 2010!

2010-04-22T09:02:00.000-05:00

Today is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, a day designated to increase awareness and appreciation of the environment. I am going to celebrate by turning off the computer and getting outside to plant additional native shrubs to our native plant landscaping! We will also install the rain barrel some time this week to catch those spring rains for our garden.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

Handmade for Earth Day!

2010-04-20T21:22:00.000-05:00

It's almost Earth Day and I am participating in the Handmade for Earth Day Auction by EcoEtsy!

Lots of EcoEtsy team members have donated their lovely handmade, eco-friendly goods for this event, and the proceeds will go to the World Wildlife Fund. Awesome! So, what are you waiting on - go check it out!

Friday Finds

2010-04-16T20:34:00.000-05:00

I am in search of a new bag, and this one from infusion on Etsy.com just may be the one! The front flap is ruched for added interest without being too fussy. The Ruche bag is available in several colors, but I am in love with this wheat brown version.......

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Friday Finds

2010-04-09T20:01:00.000-05:00

Oh, I love this Route 66 Belt Buckle from vintageinretrospect on Etsy.com! The belt bukles are made with bits of retired vehicle license plates. Recycled and stylish - does it get any better? I think not!

Mariner Earrings

2010-04-07T21:28:00.000-05:00

I just fell in love with these Aquamarine stones when I saw them - they are the most beautiful shade of blue! The wonderful icy blue Aquamarine rounds are wire wrapped beneath double loops of sterling silver. All the sterling silver has been oxidized (blackened) for a bit of rustic contrast.

Ancient sailors frequently carried aquamarine during their travels, believing that it would help ensure a safe passage.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

Something New is Coming!

2010-03-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Something new is coming and I'm really excited about it! I have been searching for the perfect gems for months and I'm almost ready to share. Meanwhile, here is a hint........

Nesting!

2010-03-28T13:50:00.000-05:00

With temperatures rising and days getting longer it actually feels like it is finally Spring! In celebration I decided to create a nest with personalized eggs. It was a relatively quick and simple project.

I used simple wooden eggs that I stamped with the names and created a super simple nest from a six inch wreath, a cardboard bottom stitched on with jute twine.

"Reading is Good for You" Treasury

2010-03-26T21:03:00.000-05:00

Today I was honored to find that my personalized aluminium waves bookmark was featured in very lovely Etsy treasury "Reading...it's good for you". Special thanks to ChristinaPerdue!

Christina offers fine art photography in her lovely Etsy shop ChristinaPerdue. Personally, I love these softly hued pink and white flowers, titles "I Let Love In". It has a lovely rustic elegance that is so me!

Hand Hammered Bookmark

2010-03-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Recently I made this hand hammered bookmark for a good friend. The aluminum bookmark is hand cut from aluminum sheet metal and hand hammered, lending it slightly irregular edges and a very unique, handcrafted appearance. Next I rounded the corners of the metal (safety first!).

Then I personalized the bookmark with a single letter ‘H’. Finally I finished the bookmark with a 3-inch super soft black leather tassel.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-24T20:55:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

More Fresh Designs

2010-03-15T21:28:00.000-05:00

I have continued to be inspired by the coming of spring! This week I tried another twist on earrings - adding a short section of chain to dangle freely below vibrant orange Carnelian and fuchsia Ruby! I just love the contrast of the oxidized sterling silver with these faceted brightly colored gemstones! The Daybreak Earrings.....

I kept it simple for these Julep inspired earrings, with oxidized sterling silver wire wrapped bail and wonderful spring green Aventurine. The Julep Earrings...

New Designs for Spring

2010-03-11T08:58:00.001-06:00

Spring is the time for new growth. With spring just around the corner, I am feeling the need for fresh creations with a different style. So, I have been trying more designs that are new to me.

Muscadine Earrings - These little beauties feature tiny faceted Amethyst rondelles. These stones are absolutely beautiful, but because they are so small it can be difficult to really feature them well in many designs. So, I decided to wire wrap these tiny beauties inside of sterling silver ovals.

Sprout Earrings - I used the hand coiled wire wrapping technique for these amazing lime green Hydro Quartz briolettes. I love this hand coiled wire wrapping technique, but getting everything even can prove difficult and time consuming, not to mention finger numbing.

Cloudland Earrings - I also used the hand coiled wire wrapping technique for these lovely sky blue Amazonite rounds. I like the extra texture and contrast that the hand coiled bail of oxidized sterling silver adds to these earrings.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

Friday Finds

2010-03-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

I just love ecofriendly finds! And having kids in the house, makes this one looks particularly interesting! Stainless steel straws - how cool is that? I can envisioning tossing these in my purse to have one at the ready anytime. They cost $18 for six straws, but just might be worth it to have fewer plastic straws thrown away. Check them out at Brook Farm General Store.

New Keychains

2010-02-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

I have been wanting to create a key chain using a style similar to my hand hammered aluminum and copper bookmarks. Well, I finally got it done! Like my bookmarks, they are totally hand crafted - cut, filed, drilled, hammered and finally stamped with an initial - all by my own two hands. These unique key chains add a personal style to your keys without adding much bulk or weight.

Personalized Aluminum Keychain -

Personalized Copper Keychain -

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-24T15:00:00.000-06:00

Silver and Shabby Etsy Treasury

2010-02-21T08:38:00.000-06:00

Today I am honored that my Orbit Anklet was included in a lovely Silver and Shabby treasury on Etsy created by BRYDFERTH. It is a very well done treasury filled with subtle textures and colors.

Hailey of BRYDFERTH has some lovely things in her shop. I love this wonderful brass and fabric "I heart Nature" necklace. It has a lovely shabby chic elegance.

This little pair of Rosette Bobby Pins are so lovely.

Fresh colors for Spring

2010-02-16T22:21:00.000-06:00

This is the time of year when I have grown tired of winter grays and start to dream of the coming of spring. Especially this year, since we have gotten wave after wave of snow storms. When I sat down to create new designs this weekend I found myself repeatedly drawn to the fresh colors of the changing seasons. Below is a sampling, but I’ll be posting many more to my Etsy shop this week!

Bimini Earrings – faceted watery Swiss Blue Topaz briolettes are suspended below faceted Labradorite rounds.

Cruzan Earrings – a subtle gray freshwater pearl and minty green Aventurine gemstones sway beneath double loops of oxidized sterling silver.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-10T21:15:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-03T11:00:00.000-06:00

New Wire Wrapping Style for Earrings

2010-01-30T11:54:00.001-06:00

I applied the hand coiled wire wrapping technique I use for my Metamorph Interchangeable pendants to these new earrings. What do you think of the new style?

Willow Earrings - Pale green marquis cut faceted Prehnite briolettes are wrapped in oxidized sterling silver and dangle from French earwires. These earrings remind me of tiny willow leaves dangling below your ears.

Personally, I think I love this new style. I'm off to the studio to wrap up more new earrings!

Winter Break!

2010-01-28T11:00:00.000-06:00

I haven't posted anything for several days but as you can see I haven't been home, in Missouri. A couple of close friends, my husband and I have been on a short winter vacation – skiing at Copper Mountain, Colorado! Many runs down the slope, 15 beautiful trails, 3 minor falls, but no real “yard sales” (that’s what the locals call a real wipe-out where you lose all of your skiing equipment) – it was awesome! The first half of the first day was absolutely beautiful with lovely Lapis blue skies!

After the first day we didn’t see much of the sun, but lots of snow instead (about 8 inches of fresh powder fell in the three days we were there). The weather was comfortable for the most part - temperatures were cold but bearable.

The cold fresh air against our faces, the soft powdery snow underneath our skis, and the rhythmic swishing back and forth down the slope was a welcome change to our regular routine. We are already planning ahead to our next snow skiing adventure.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-27T10:00:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

The Big Muddy?

2010-01-11T20:54:00.000-06:00

It was well below freezing all last week, and strong winter storm hit Wednesday/ Thursday dropping about 5 inches of snow and bringing truly Arctic air. We had forecast highs for Friday and Saturday around 5F, with lows well below zero and strong winds pushing the wind chill below -20. This past weekend I braved the cold to venture out to photograph the Missouri River in all her winter splendor. Temperatures on this morning were between NEGATIVE 5 and NEGATIVE 10 degrees!

The relative "warmth" of the river water casues a fog to riase in the chill of the early morning. In fact, I could barely make out the state capitol building just across the river.

The fog from the river coats the trees on the shorline with a shroud of frosty ice.

With all the freezing temperatures there was a good deal of ice on the Missouri River. The current was too strong for a solid surface of ice, but reportly the river was 50-75% percent covered in our area. This week the "Big Muddy" could be called the "Big Icy" with all the ice jostling and churning downriver.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-06T16:28:00.000-06:00

Heavy Metal Treasury

2009-12-31T10:00:00.000-06:00

My Luna Necklace was featured in a lovely Heavy Metal Etsy treasury created by Willow Creek Jewelry.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-30T20:24:00.000-06:00

Juicy New Gems for 2010

2009-12-23T19:56:00.000-06:00

2010 is just around the corner, and this has me thinking about new designs and fresh colors. With new inspiration and visions I ordered some juicy gems from jNicLoft - Ruby and Paraiba Topaz. I can't wait to see these lovely stones! Stay tuned to see what happens......

Winter Visitors

2009-12-19T12:51:00.000-06:00

We got a dusting of snow yesterday. So today we are watching our little feathered winter friends from the warmth of the house. It is enchanting to watch the birds flit about the trees and hop along the ground. And I love to see their tiny tracks and trails in the snow.........

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-16T07:52:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-09T19:59:00.000-06:00

Silver and Cold Treasury

2009-12-03T11:00:00.000-06:00

How cool - my Personalized Aluminum Bookmark was featured in a lovely Etsy treasury! Special thanks to rsDesigns!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-02T21:32:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-18T16:52:00.000-06:00

A spicy EcoEtsy Treasury!

2009-11-16T08:31:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday! I just noticed my Harvest Earrings were featured in a lovely Etsy treasury! What a great start for my week. Special thanks to AnnyMay – a fellow EcoEtsy Team member!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-11T10:00:00.000-06:00

New This Week

2009-11-08T07:56:00.001-06:00

Juniper Earrings - A rich combination of color and texture!

Lucid Earrings - an easy to wear combination of hand hammered sterling silver and Rock Crystal.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-04T17:06:00.001-06:00

Lost and Found Labradorite

2009-11-02T20:46:00.000-06:00

Recently a friend brought me a single bezel set labradorite earring, the other had been lost. She asked me if there was any way to convert it from an earring to a necklace. I added a bail and gave the sterling silver a good polishing as it had been stored away for some time gathering tarnish.

Personally, labradorite is one of my favorite stones and this one was a lovely example with great blue-green flash – too nice to live out its life cast off in some drawer, simply because its mate had been lost. I love repurposing things, giving them new life, and I was glad to see this stone go back to its owner with a renewed purpose. I think it turned out wonderfully! What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T20:39:00.000-05:00

Haunted Habitats

2009-10-27T16:19:00.000-05:00

Friday night we took the little one to the Haunted Habitats event hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The theme this year was Missouri Animals A to Z. The goal of this event is to teach kids of all ages about nature. There were lots of games and prizes, a craft center, live music, hot cocoa, hot apple cider and delicious salty-sweet kettle corn. The trails were all lit by camping lanterns and a multitude of hand carved jack-o’-lanterns!

Even the fire tower was decorated for the event! We all had a good time.

Events like these are a great way to get kids excited or at the very least exposed to nature! Even though our goblin was a bit small to really get the most out of the event, we’ll be going back.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-21T06:55:00.000-05:00

Featured in the Storque!

2009-10-20T12:41:00.000-05:00

I certainly had a happy Monday yesterday. I discovered that my Personalized Hammered Aluminum Bookmark was featured in the Etsy Storque Article "Gleeful Anticipation" - Holiday Gift Guide Preview! Wow - what an honor!

A Walk in the Woods

2009-10-18T12:34:00.000-05:00

The weather here has been cold and rainy for weeks. Eleven of the first sixteen days of October yielded over seven inches - the average for the entire month of October is only 1.6 inches! So, needless to say, we have been cooped up in the house for way too long. The sun finally showed it face yesterday, so we bundled up the whole family and hit the woods.

The air was a bit brisk, but the fall colors were really nice!

Because of all the rain, we saw lots of mushrooms and other fungi, like these Turkey Tail Fungus.

And these little brown mushrooms growing right out of a rotting log.

We also found lots of colonies of the very neat plant called a walking fern, because where ever the leaf tips touch the moist ground a new colony will start to grow. Thus the name 'walking fern'. A very cool little plant.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-14T06:48:00.000-05:00

First Fire of Fall

2009-10-12T13:13:00.000-05:00

The leaves are turning, the mornings are chilly, the days are getting shorter - it is beginning to seem like autumn here. This weekend was particularly brisk, so to welcome the changing of the seasons we built our first fire! I am not crazy about bringing wood (and its mess) into the house, but oh, how I love the crackling warmth of a fire in the hearth!

A wonderful Etsy Treasury!

2009-10-10T09:41:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share a lovely Etsy treasury that featured my ZigZag Peridot and Vintage Crystal necklace! Thank you to Montagyoo!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-07T19:28:00.000-05:00

New Secret INTERCHANGEABLE Pendant

2009-10-03T12:18:00.000-05:00

Recently, I have fallen in love with those shabby chic college necklaces with vintage skeleton keys. But I have an understated style and don’t think that a full sized skeleton key is size-appropriate for my slight frame. Solution – this tiny sterling silver version! I have soldered on a ring-style bail and oxidized the whole piece to give a vintage, time-worn appearance. I just love it and wear it all the time along side a luminous gray pearl.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-30T20:35:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-23T21:13:00.001-05:00

Motivational Monday - Plan for Success

2009-09-21T20:03:00.001-05:00

Plan for success - Set aside a snippet (15 to 30 minutes) at the end of every day to review the accomplishments of that day and set priorities for the following day. This routine is an easy way to add an element of control and focus to your busy day and help banish that harried sense of chaos. It gives you a vantage point from which to view your day.

Weekend Deals!

2009-09-19T12:32:00.000-05:00

Recieve a free pair of earrings with any purchase over $15 (excluding the cost of shipping) from my LeatherwoodDesigns Etsy shop. To qualify, just enter "Weekend Deals!" in the notes to seller during checkout. This offer will only last through Sunday, September 20.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-16T19:24:00.000-05:00

Motivation Monday

2009-09-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

With everything going on lately and trying to prepare my Etsy shop (Leatherwood Designs) for the up coming holidays (yes, I've already started thinking about the holidays - crazy!), I have been wondering - what are my goals, what am I trying to accomplish? So, I embarked on a mission to do some soul searching and realistic goal setting.

Goal setting can be incredibly motivating. The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, goals can keep you focused on a purpose, and help you spot the distractions that would otherwise lure you from your path. By setting clearly defined goals, you can measure your success and boost your confidence as you recognize your ability to achieve your goals.

Tips for creating goals -

1. Write it Down - The simple act of writing your goals down on paper will bring them one step closer to reality. Writing a goal down will make it more substantial and significant.

2. Identify Obstacles – Create a list of obstacles and limitations, analyze them and develop a strategy to overcome them! Treat these obstacles like roadblocks and map out a strategy to get around them.

3. Set a Deadline – Establish a reasonable time frame to accomplishment the goal and plan for unexpected delays. (This prevents disappointment and discouragement through missing the deadline.)

4. Measure Success - Doing so will help to keep you motivated to achieve your goals as you see real achievements taking place.

5. Be Persistent! – Never, never, never give up.

So, I'm off to put my goals down on paper!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-09T17:09:00.000-05:00

Motivation Monday

2009-09-07T20:00:00.000-05:00

Collect Favorite Quotations -
A good quotation can be a powerful thing! When you come across a quotation that motivates you to achieve your goals, don't let it pass you by! Write it down, save it on your computer, or do whatever works for you to keep a collection of motivational quotations close at hand.

“First, Think.
Second, Believe.
Third, Dream.
And Finally, Dare.”
-Walt Disney

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-02T06:44:00.000-05:00

Motivation Monday

2009-08-31T21:40:00.000-05:00

Take A Short Break: Have you ever had one of “THOSE days” when nothing seems to go right? I had one this weekend. The little one was napping and I had a brief snippet of time to craft. But when I sat down to create nothing went right, in fact, everything seemed to go wrong! I was tired and frustrated. Instead of forcing myself to create I took a break to walk at the local nature center - to escape, to think, to relax, to breathe. A short break can allow me to return to my projects with renewed energy and enthusiasm. The walk provided not only reprieve, but inspiration.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-26T18:23:00.000-05:00

Motivation Monday - Start With the Basics

2009-08-24T21:20:00.000-05:00

“Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work. If you wait around for the clouds to part and a bolt of lightning to strike you in the brain, you are not going to make an awful lot of work.” CHUCK CLOSE – painter; photographer; printmaker

As a part-time entrepreneurial crafter, I occasionally I find myself simply lacking the motivation or inspiration to create. When faced with this situation during my designated crafting time, I head off to the studio and start working on something anyway. I might start by organizing supplies, then doing piece work that doesn’t require much inspiration (like sawing blanks or drilling holes) concentrating on the rhythm of the work. These tasks all have a great impact on the end result of the final piece, but don’t require a great deal of inspiration. I begin by working on these mechanical tasks and gradually find a rhythm and flow of ideas and inspiration.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T06:39:00.000-05:00

Motivation Monday

2009-08-17T15:54:00.000-05:00

As a part-time entrepreneurial crafter, I have ideas of items that I want to fabricate, but occasionally I find myself simply lacking the motivation to create. Why? What is wrong with me? Nothing. This is a problem many people face, regardless of their career status. So, how do you get on track to be inspired and motivated to create? This is a question I’ll be exploring on Mondays.

Set aside a positive space. Carve out a space for your craft; even if it is a shelf in the corner of the dining room. Clear the clutter and organize tools and supplies. It is frustrating to stop working on a project to look for a tool or supply that “should be around here SOMEWHERE!” Once your space is free of clutter, set a creative tone by displaying things that are inspirational/motivational to YOU. If possible paint your craft space a color you love. Get a bulletin board and hang up pictures, postcards, pages from magazines, fabrics, decorative papers, whatever is beautiful to you.

Finish or get rid of old unfinished projects. Nothing can kill motivation faster than seeing unfinished work lying around. Finish these projects, disassemble them or otherwise get rid of them.

Do you have any motivational ideas? Please leave a comment.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T06:41:00.000-05:00

Weekend Deals!

2009-08-07T22:04:00.000-05:00

To launch my new line of INTERCHANGEABLE pendants and chains I am participating in Etsy's Weekend Deals. Get 15% off your order, but hurry, the sale ends Monday! Come on over to my shop and take a look.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T06:19:00.000-05:00

Limealicious Treasury

2009-08-04T08:03:00.000-05:00

How wonderful! My Grow Necklace was featured in another beautiful Etsy treasury. Many thanks to FifthQuadrant!

Back to School Treasury

2009-08-03T12:03:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share this lovely Etsy treasury in which my Personalized Aluminum Bookmark was featured. Thank you to CoDesign!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-29T21:15:00.000-05:00