Week 2

Meet Rex:

He is a project I started a while ago, and let rest.. WHY? I donno... He's so friggen cute! Rex is currently in my pile of  "next projects" I can't wait to get started back up on him.

Rex is made up of foil gum wrappers!!! - Yes he is shiny! The background/paper was colored with leftover acrylic paint, and actually has a nice variety of visible blue streaks in the brushstrokes. I enjoy the combination of materials used so far. After Rex is foiled (haha).. I will be adding other details like grass and sand and twigs... any ideas? I am open to suggestions!




Remember last week's post???

Let me quote :

"At the same time, It is said that if you create a goal for yourself and post it publicly (like on this blog) you are 100% more likely to achieve that goal....
...Therefore: Long term Goal 1: Blog at least once each week. Long term Goal 2: Create ONE GOAL for myself each week and post it in that blog."




HA! ....Um... It's not the beginning of the week... and I have no idea what I want my goal this week to be. I guess it was to uphold last week's goals and prove to myself that I could do it.... WELL! A goal is meant to be worked on ...right? and to be worked for.... hard? OK... I'm working on it... and I will get better! I keep telling myself this (the blogging thing) is a process. Meaning, I need to get in the habit of blogging... That, and reminding myself of the goal of my blogging well help me get there.

Right now (I am still tweaking the wording) the goal or purpose of my blogging is

One: I love being creative! and I want to share my creative ideas, endeavors and experiences with others. 
Two: I express myself through my creativity and, in turn, want to use my creative skills to help others express themselves! I hope others can use the accessories I have available at my shop, to help their personality shine!
Three: Therefore I intend to build awareness of the work I have done and to make it available to others through my etsy shop. www.etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer


..Like I said, it's not "done" and I definitely have a lot more little "tid bits" I want to add to my goal...


I am also acquainting myself with the ability to schedule posts... I hope this can help me remain more active on this blog... And help me gain some views (my stats are terribly low, I got 2 views this week). 
 

Also, a quick plug. Sandy Steen Bartholomew is a local artist that I was introduced to a few years ago. She is funny and fun and very creative! Sandy hosts an open studio every Friday night at the BeeHive... Tomorrow, I will be working on my RBBIZ plan... Check out her blog:
beezinthebelfry.blogspot.com/

Introducing Goals... (Week 1)

I am starting a journey... to a better developed, well planned and successful business.... (ie: my Etsy shop, http://etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer)

"When you take consistent, concrete steps forward from a place of passion, purpose, and service you can make a meaningful and positive difference, and from that sweet spot the money will flow."

http://rightbrainersinbusiness.com/
Borrowed from the RBBIZ website...  

As I mentioned in my previous post I have been partaking in the Right Brain Business Video Summit for the last week and a half. It's been great! I've not only learned things I can use for my Etsy shop/ creative business but I have learned so much that I can apply to my life in general! It has been a wonderful experience of personal development. 

The program has offered many valuable suggestions and ideas, and has demonstrated to me over and over again that I am not the only one "trying to get off the ground" with my shop/business... (as it sometimes feels).
One of the conversations the other day, is still resonating with me. It discussed how we often see established artists/artisans and idolize them. We think, Wow! They took off! They do their craft all day! They're successful  This is their job! ...then logical/reasonable thought may progress to.... If I want to be successful (like them), I could just throw it all in, get the stuff I need, quit my day job and jump in, 100%, GO! BUT!... Even these successful entrepreneurs had to work at it, it takes time, and it takes effort, dedication. and patience... then your business will grow... SO, when I become frustrated that my business just doesn't seem to "go" its... so small... and not well known... I remind myself of that conversation .. even the "Great ones" started small... and they had to work at it. 



During the RBBIZ summit they've also suggested that if you blog or have a newsletter make sure you are posting/publishing consistently. Not constantly... but consistently...

At the same time, It is said that if you create a goal for yourself and post it publicly (like on this blog) you are 100% more likely to achieve that goal.

Therefore:
Long term Goal 1: Blog at least once each week.
Long term Goal 2: Create ONE GOAL for myself each week and post it in that blog. 

Now, (stress reliever) while I may not always be able to post on Mondays, I will be posting my goal towards the beginning of each week. (It would also be awesome if I can get in the habit of posting a review of my achievement towards that goal at the end of the week... I will be working on this part of the goal...)

Week 1 Goal: My Goal this week is to continue with the RBBIZ Summit Videos and to complete all videos before they reach their 48 hour expiration, AND to begin acting on at least TWO ideas/ strategies mentioned in the program. 


Wish me luck!

Vacation Week Accomplishments

I have been on February vacation for the past week. It has been.......... ah, well... read ahead..

Yesterday, Friday I found myself pondering whether or not I "did anything" over my vacation. I didn't go on any fabulous vacation or even any day trips... I stayed home and worked on things around the apartment. Sounds rather...blahhh... Sounds kind of depressing. But then I thought OK. I did MANY things. Lets look at my accomplishments...




*  I spent Friday and Saturday enjoying my first few days off with my boyfriend and my dog, Bella. We went on a few walks and Bella played in the snow. She doesn't like older/crustier snow but she LOVES fresh snow!

* Saturday I sold a pair of earrings through my etsy shop, barefootedwanderer. Yes, it's only one pair of earrings and to tell you the truth, I haven't sold many items through my shop. But..
  Celebrate our accomplishments!       Right???

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/119321394

*  I Finished a couple orders for crochet beanies (hats). And they look great!

Finished the black and rainbow ones.

*  I've been trying to figure out a way to make my origami crane earrings more durable... Added some nail polish... Works great... I can still bend and reshape the paper if I need to adjust them. But they hold their own shape much better!

*  I signed up for and have been partaking in the Right Brain Business Video Summit. I haven't watched all the videos yet, I am behind by a day (I think) but it has been very informative and fun! I am learning TONS! I am really looking forward to putting these new ideas... to use!

http://rightbrainersinbusiness.com/

 *  I finished customizing a wheel chair for a friend. I love the way it came out! What do you think?

You can't really see it in the picture (I went over it again after the picture was taken) but the word bubbles say "MINE!", "Totally...", and an address...

Story goes that people have mistaken her wheelchair (when she is not in it) for one that belongs to the facility she is at... (the airport for example)... so she wanted something that would clearly make it "hers"... thus the "MINE!" bird...   



*  Finally, yesterday as I was thinking about all these things I was actually driving to the Open Studio at Sandy Steen Bartholomew's studio in Warner, NH. 
http://beezinthebelfry.blogspot.com/
So I spent the evening there with a small group of creative women playing-with/exploring and creating stamps! It was a lot of fun. I look forward to stopping in again.



I guess it really has been a productive week! WOW!


And now.. My big task (in addition to mentally preparing myself to return to work/school/teaching Monday) I am working on a Grey and White Chevron Afghan. I have never crocheted a blanket before... but a friend of mine has commissioned it and hey! I gotta learn sometime!

This is the one she saw and LOVED... I hope mine looks something like it.

http://pinterest.com/pin/184366178467114879/

About Page

I made my "About" page for my Etsy shop Barefootedwanderer! You can see the page here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer/about .

Sure... it sounds minor, and maybe it is... but I am very excited too! I'm not sure exactly why.. Its like... my shop is more official... like it has personality... it has an identity... it has a purpose!!



Today, I also came across pictures of a pair of earrings I made for my mother's birthday last month! I LOVE them! I hope she does too!

Sweet Hearts

Get ready for Valentines day!!!

Here are a few pairs of the earrings I am making for the Winter Blowout, Sat Feb. 9th!

I've been working on them for a few weeks... on... and off... I have over a dozen pairs made up so far... and I love them all!



The heart-shaped beads are made from up-cycled magazines!!!

Single hearts...

Double hearts...

Triple...

all different colors and different arrangements!

I will be uploading my unsold earrings to my Etsy shop



Barefootedwanderer

Following the Winter Blowout!

December update!

I have been working on all kinds of projects; from school and teaching to the KEY Club I advise, to my own creative endeavors. I figure it's about time I update...

First, I have re-activated the Holiday Gift Drive that the KEY Club sponsored last year. I have set up this fundraiser through my Etsy shop. Each ornament has been hand crafted and painted by members of the KEY Club and other volunteers at Merrimack Valley High School. All proceeds raised by this sale will go towards the gift Holiday Fund at the school.

This program offers financial support to students families during the holiday season, including but not limited to; grocery cards, food baskets and holiday gifts. For some students' this will be the only holiday they have... Ornaments cost $2 and $2.50. I will be shipping each ornament for $1.  Please help support our community.

You may view the ornaments for the Holiday Gift Drive here: etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer




Second, I have been working on my own Holiday and Seasonal ornaments. I am having so much fun and am very proud of my work.

My winter stockings are unique and one-of-a-kind! I'll even make one specifically for you! Choose your color or colors (please limit it to 3 colors) and let me know the embellishments you like..

You may view the item descriptions and other information here:
etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer

 And here is one of my custom ornaments.   --->    --->   --->







Third, I am making snowmen! and they are SOooooo CUTE!


Each one has it's own personality and characteristics. I am planning on creating snowmen that represent people's loved ones!    SO Cool!    (Can I say that about my own artwork? ...oh well! Just did.)

One of my co-workers asked if I could make some of her dogs... so Snow Dogs! I can't wait. She is supposed to bring in photographs for me to reference.


I will be posting my snowmen at my etsy shop etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer tomorrow!




Fourth, I am decorating Ball Ornaments... I have a few different designs.

These are my Frosted-red glass balls... I am painting a poinsettia design on them.










And here are my transparent balls... One design that seems to be catching attention is the snowflake pattern... unfortunately I cannot find a photo of that design right now (will have one tomorrow)... And another is the Message Ball... Like the one in the photo.










Please let me know what you think!

And don't forget to check out my shop to see my new items! etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer

Recent Uploads

I have been busy!

I spent a good chunk of last week getting my newest collection of jewelry "internet-ready". I spent a few days photographing, editing and sizing my photos and finally another couple days uploading and creating descriptions in my Etsy shop.. It took a while at first to make each post but then I was able to get the hang of it. I am getting much better formatting photos and writing posts :-D  I guess the experiences comes when you start making a lot of posts, one after the other, repetition and practice... before I'd only be making a few posts at a time.

Please stop by my shop and check things out!

www.etsy.com/shop.barefootedwanderer

I also started uploading my artwork to Deviant Art. There isn't too much up there yet but I am working on it. Thankfully this site does accept images that are the same size as Etsy's requirements.

You can see my deviations at:

http://barefootedwanderer.deviantart.com/gallery/


I hope you enjoy my things!

Please let me know if you have ideas for other projects... I am always open to suggestions... And I do custom orders through Etsy. 

I've been working on Pearl earrings... I had been contemplating several designs for the last few weeks, and decided it was well past time to try them out! Here are a few images of my newest creations... Please excuse the poor quality, they were taken with my cell phone... Better photos are to come!

Whit fresh-water pearls wrapped in silver wire.

White fresh-water pearls with a chain

Pink and black/purple fresh-water pearls - clustered pearls.

Black/purple freshwater pearls with pink accenting pearls - clustered

Moss green pearls. Hypoallergenic hooks.

Black fresh-water pearls wrapped in silver, with chain.

I love these earrings! I can't wait to wear them!

...I will be posting them in my Etsy shop soon!... Each pair will be made to order so each set will be custom created for they buyer. I will have the option of silver colored hooks, or the hypoallergenic hooks.


Comments and ideas are welcome!

THEY'RE UP!

So they are up! My fish earrings are up!

I love them! The orange ones with the lures are my favorite... I think I'll have to post them as make to order... these ones are mine :-D

Check out my shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer




...If I sell a few of these, I will order more fish and begin making them in green and blue as well!

I've Been Busy Today!

I've been busy today.

Along with the housework; cleaning, laundry, dishes... you get it... Homework... And my PROJECTS!

I'm almost done! They're so friggin cute!! I can't wait to get them up on my Etsy!