michelle defillipo

2012 january

2012-01-18T19:51:00.004-05:00

well i just finished the trade show in Atlanta, wow it was amazing....because of so many elements. i looked so forward to going its the perfect time of the year for the huge show, right after the holidays and the cold weather it keeps your mind busy so that it doesnt go into the deep dark places..for me anyway...many years this time of the year this is what happened to me. no place to go and no work at this season...but now times have changed i turned it around. i know this is what i had to do and i did it and it worked. this is my 2nd year in a row. twice a year. i worked my butt off and my winding journey has now had a straight path.

i love the people that are around me and the people i meet, i love the friends that i have and the person i work with ric..., the best sales person in the world im am so lucky to have him, you know my sales go up with his presence and charm, he is truly an inspiration to me.

this is going to be the best year ever for vintage girl designs and im excited in this moment for everything that has happened to me and how i have been able to touch other people with my art and able to experience it, to me this is true bliss.

i still have lots of goals and im not going to bask in bliss to long i give myself only 48 hours and them its back to the drawing board. and im back to my normal state.....not sure what i will call that...

thank you God and the Universe and Everyone who believes in me and any artist for that matter. xoxoxoxoxox

embrace happiness as often as you can

2012-01-03T12:49:00.002-05:00

i know the title of this blog sounds easy to do, but how often i have to remind myself usually after the fact...im always in a hurry or thinking what i have to do next. always adding to my to do list..

happy new year..

new beginnings

2011-12-17T10:27:00.002-05:00

okay so im a little late to be posting christmas designs, im already past the whole christmas thing and thinking about the new year. its crunch time here at vintage girl designs and i have to produce lots of new designs before my next show in Atlanta in January. Ive been collecting life experiences that have inspired my new designs. cant wait to get them on paper.

most of my life is about starting over and new beginnings, which goes right along with the beginning of a new year and starting over, but the only difference is its my choice. for 2012 im going to start the new year doing things more precise and more efficiently. im going to pick and choose what i want to engage my life in and what i dont. i want things to be peaceful, and harmonious. wow this might be asking alot, altleast its a goal and a start to a new new beginning. happy holidays xoxoxoxo

happy thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:16:00.002-05:00

hoping that your day is filled with peace, calm, love, and happiness. xoxoxox

my first licensing with Paperproducts Design

2011-10-18T22:40:00.003-04:00

im excited to share my first licensing experience with everyone. i just received the samples in the mail today. i received the catalog a week or two ago where im on the first 2 pages. i couldnt get the picture i took of that to come up. so here is the real deal.

they are so great i love them. its exciting to see my designs on something that i didnt have to make....

this company is so amazing its really great to experience something for the first time and feel so comfortable and at peace with it all.

i hope that eveyone loves the napkins.

Let the entertaining begin. xoxoxo

enlightening experience

2011-10-10T11:13:00.006-04:00

i was in chapel hill last weekend doing one of my favorite art shows. i met an artist named Beverly, after talking we found that we had a lot in common with our art career journeys. when you find someone that you share your own true nature with you can talk for hours and hours. it feels so good to be able to get it all out to a person that actually understands and is also as interested as you are.

she asked if she could do a little blog on me on her blog called art prescription, so we set up a phone call and just talked. now what i want to share with you before i share her blog is the enlightening experience that happened while talking with her.

an enlightening experience is when you are aware of what you are doing but you are not really aware of how it affects you in a deep true scense of what makes you who you really are.

so once you actually hear your self say it and you have to express it you become aware of how it affects you.

she asked me about licensing and why i would be reluctant to have my designs mass marketed. so i responded with." ive been doing what i do which is art shows and selling my handmade items to stores for about 12 years now, and if i didn't do these 2 things i would feel empty and depressed. i get my joy from interacting with people and seeing them purchase my art and see how they are inspired by something that i created. that is what keeps me going and is what motivates me to keep doing what i do. if i were to sit at my desk all day and paint which i couldn't do anyway because my art is a spontaneous inspiration i can only paint when i feel it in my soul to get out. that's when i create art that speaks to me and others.

but to not be able to interact would be very depleting to me. and this is how Ive always done it. to be able to sell my things to a store and have them call me and place a reorder because they sold everything, well.. this is a good day. that's what keeps me going.

so to have a beautiful day like last weekend where i worked my butt off to get ready for this show, as i do all of them, then wake up in the morning and drive 2.5 hours and set up my booth and sell my art work for 6 hours then pack down and drive home. and think of all the people i met and talked to and that purchased my work. this is a good day, this is where i find my most happiness, this is what makes me, this is it.......

now i did not know this was true until i heard my self say it. i had a goal that liscensing was the here all be al,l and once i reached that point i would be to my up most success. not that i did ultimately reach it but i was presented with some offers recently and turned them all down because i do not want to loose what truly makes me happy. and that is, doing what i have always done. so see sometimes you don't realize that you are reaching for happiness in other places and all along its right in front of you. this was my enlightening experience.....but i had to hear myself say it to know for sure. having these enlightening experiences is what makes us wise and confident..............here is what she wrote.http://artprescription.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/a-stand-out-in-the-crowd-featured-artist-michelle-defillipo/

my love for paper

2011-09-27T20:36:00.004-04:00

i need to write about my love for paper. this is very important because its something that is going to be very significant in the upcoming months.

i need to express that paper is something that i absolutely love. i would choose paper over a lot of other material items, including diamonds.....ha ha being that diamonds have not brought me as much success as paper in my life....

paper is why i do what i do and why i create what i create and why i love what i do.

everything i make is made out of paper in some way or another. and everything i make i sell so therefore paper is what i make a living from. it also depends on what i put on the paper but still...it counts.

now, what i need to also share is the quality of paper, the quality of paper is what makes my adrenaline flow, like for instance moleskin journals as pictured above.. if you have never felt the paper in these journals then you are missing out on a lot!!!...the smoothness and thickness and color is absolutely perfect. i could sleep on this paper i could do everything on this paper its my faaaavorite... i must say i love it so much.

so with this love for paper i am coming into my own on what i want to make as a huge statement to unveil in my next big series and this i think is going to be all about me and my love for paper.

i cant give to much away but it will be revealed in my art which is definitley a reflection of who i am.

i have to do some research and find some things that im looking for , but in time im sure i will be able to inspire all the others out there that love paper too.

when i look back on my journey i find that i create things that i love myself and that i need to make me complete. this is definitely going to be a milestone in my journey i can feel it.

as a little girl i would make handmade things to give away. now as an adult i still do this. i am also blessed to be able to sell them too.

the best part of this is its going to be different. unique and me.........

well stay tuned im sure i will be sharing as soon as i get this project completed...

take care

no time to breathe

2011-09-05T21:49:00.002-04:00

so i have a couple of things that i have made that say breathe and rest and serenity and balance.
but OMG, i have not been able to do any of those things atleast for 7 days straight.
in this photo above is the first time i was able to sit and write in my journal, that was this weekend while i was working at a show. thats funny that im resting while im working.

but anyway these past 10 days have been crazy i really actually felt like i couldnt breathe. the core of my body was aching from stress because i felt as though i couldnt rest, i just had to keep going.
not to mention that anyone that came in my path was well...lets just say i feel sorry for the way i treated them.....i really needed to be locked away from society so that i could not bite anyones head off.....

i feel better now, its monday night the weekend and holiday is over. i was able to get some of my thoughts down on paper and try to go over what happened to me in the past week so that i could make sure i was not going crazy....

i figured out it was going to be a stressful week anyway and all the other things just added to it making it one heck of a whew i dont even know what to call it. but lets just hope that next month , 28 days from now which im going to mark on my calendar so i will be ready, that i am going to go way far away from all this stuff.... so i can breathe and not be a disfunctional wreck.

sometimes things seem worse than they really are

2011-08-28T21:52:00.002-04:00

this is all i have to say about that.

quality is better than quantity

2011-08-25T22:29:00.006-04:00

you see these two boys? they went back to school today from their summer vacation. gabby did too she is 15. so 15 years ago i became a mom and ever since then i have either worked with my kids or had my kids at home while working. from working at the schools they went too or putting them in swimming lessons that i taught. there was always something with me staying home with them and work that has kept me connected with them.

this is how i wanted it. i could not part from them when they were little.i did not want them in day care , preschools were fine but not an all day preschool it didnt make since to me, and the fact that i couldnt afford it. so i chose to be a stay at home working mom.

now this is different than just a regular stay at home mom. they are both hard but different. different in a way that you have to stay at home and work with your kids and do all the other things like cook, clean, play,etc.

the point of me sharing this is i realized that after having my first two it was very hard to work while they were home, but they eventually went to school. so i could breathe and experience what it was like to work in peace,

then christian came along, he is 4 now and ive done the same thing with him, stayed at home and tried to work. i really didnt have a choice or even if i did i wouldnt of taken it because this is what i do, stay at home with my kids.

i am older now and i have no patience, my anxiety is very bad when it comes to working at home with kids. i absolutely was going to scream if i had to do it for one more day. i realized today that its not the quantity of time its the quality of time you spend with your kids.

all these years i pushed my self to do it because i thought it was the best thing for them but instead it turned me into this fragile mom that cant take any noise or talking or playing. im always working trying to catch up because i dont have long blocks of time and im working constantly day and night just to get it done. where as if i were to put them in a daycare i would have that block of time and everything would be done and i could pick them up and watch a movie with them on the couch. like i did today.

and that my friends is what i learned but guess what, i have to pass it on because i wont be having any more kids and christian starts kindergarten next year so im good. he is in preschool from 8-5, first time ive ever done it and it feels great.

i was scared when they were younger because i thought they were to young and someone would be mean to them and they couldnt tell me, and i just carried in on that way forever it seems.

but when you have to work its different its hard to do both, but i did it and now im a nervous wreck because of it, and im sure my kids did not got the quality time they needed. but we live and learn maybe someone can learn from this thats scared to put them daycare and has a business .
i felt better and calmer today peaceful would be a better word and im sure my kids could tell too...thanks for listening.......

simple things that made me happy this summer

2011-08-07T23:57:00.014-04:00

well i wanted to write about some of the little things in life that make me happy. because most of my life is about my work i try my best to mix things in so that I'm able to do what i love for a living and experience the things that make me happy too( besides work). so this summer i have not been able to do a lot but what i have done has made me look back and reflect on some happy times. sharing food at new and exciting places this was in asheville after working all day. we found this restaurant, it was so good we are there both nights. the bistro

sleeping while working..just for a minute:) sleeping is one of my things i love to do....

seeing christian with his favorite TV characters!!! at Barnes and nobles story time 10:00 on a Saturday morning. i was happy that i was able to take him, I'm usually working on the weekends so this was a treat for me and him.

these here are some handmade things i bought while working at a show in Burnesville NC.

lavender dish soap.. if you have never tried lavender dish soap you are missing out. usually i have bought from Williams Sonoma but i found this at a gallery and it is great the aroma makes you have a special feeling about washing a dish.

handmade wallet...the lady that made this was so lovely and soft that you could feel the love she used to make her products. i had to have something and this was perfect for me.

and some cute bowls from a potter that was across from me at the show. love the blue in the bottom.

our past experiences creates a collection of happiness

2011-07-20T16:26:00.010-04:00

right before a show i get really excited thinking about all the things im going to remember after the show that left an impact on me. so its almost like i cant wait till the show is over so i can reminisce on the past experiences.
so i just got back from

the atlanta gift show and here are some things that i brought back that bring me happiness when i think about them.

this is my dear friend and neighbor from the show lisa toland . she is a very deep soul right away i knew we would share a lot of special conversations we are just alike in a lot of ways as artists ..we share a special bond...

this is dick and vickie i cannot say enough about these kind friends they live in midtown and love to have us as house quest . we love them like family and are so special to us. cannot wait to see, share, laugh, eat, and just be with you guys again.......

well this of course is my booth i share a deep attachment with this 10 x10 space after being there for 5 days from 9-5.

this is the owner and creative director carol and roel her husband from paper product design. they are licensing a few of my designs for the spring of 2012. i couldnt of asked for a more wonderful opportunity to be able to work with their company. right away they make you feel like family. definitely a magical experience.... i can feel it deep in my soul.

eat pray love

2011-07-05T23:28:00.003-04:00

the rule of quest physics is:

if you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting

which can be anything from your house to bitter old resentment

and set out on truth seeking journey either externally or internally.

and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue.

and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher .

and if you are prepared to most of all face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself

then the truth will not be withheld from you.

getting started

2011-06-22T11:50:00.002-04:00

im not sure why sometimes it takes so long to get started creating. once u get started its good, but to get there is taking me a while. im trying to work on these 5 new designs for the Atlanta show i have them all sketched out in thumbnails in my sketch pad but thats about it. i have to be really comfortable with that i mean very peaceful and lots of solitude no interruptions. oh well, hopefully today will be the day.

signal catalog

2011-06-20T21:01:00.003-04:00

okay so i dont recieve catalogs in the mail, but signal catalog approved 2 of my designs for their fall catalog. one hundred of each. i was excited at first but then it became a huge ordeal since i make all these by hand and 200 at a time is alot of work. long story short got them done there they are all 8 boxes stacked up their in the back and the one on the scale.........this was a big job.

2011-06-18T20:55:00.001-04:00

on a brighter note

2011-06-14T21:29:00.002-04:00

Okay so i got a new phone not just a new phone but an iphone threfore i have been busy. Love the camera and all the apps i found to make cool new pics.

im currently working on my show in July for the Atlanta mart. have to make new designs and

that fun stuff.

but before that i have to fill an order for 200 vintage boards for signal catalog. Whew this is a big project. cant wait to ship it out on friday and be done.........

well the photo above is the new product for the show next month. New Vintage Girl Desk Plaques. so cool love them.. made from scraps after we cut the 9x9's, love when that happens....

they have been selling well hope the stores like them. its always great when its under 20.00.

i bought the new Adele 21 album today at target. love this album. it matches my mood. i dont feel alone when i here her sing........she is a true artist....

take care.

still and quiet

2011-06-06T19:05:00.006-04:00

wow its june. we all know how fast the summer goes by once it gets here, especially after july 4th. i had the urge to update my blog, im lying here in complete silence. all the kids r gone, and its just me. sometimes the silence can be a total state of shock which is what has happened this particular time.

as a single parent i can describe one of my moments that i go through when my kids r with their dad.

so when i have my kids its nonstop work and work and work all the way around no down time no quiet no nothing that would resemble a state of balance, except when sleeping. so u have these quick random thoughts of wishing u could be alone just for 15 minutes just so u could get some things done.

well this particular evening i have dropped my kids off and i come home and the quietness has taken me into a place of emptiness therefore allowing me to get nothing done except lay in my bed and look at me emails over and over and try to sleep the evening away so i dont have to think about anything.

so those random thoughts of me thinking i could get a lot of things done if it was quiet and stress free. it doesnt really happen this way.

still and quiet doesnt always bring peace.

from january to may

2011-04-27T21:18:00.014-04:00

wow from then until now, from winter to spring. you have to go through that place to get to this place. a lot of things have happened. ive tried to take some pictures to to mark my memories but not always succeeding with that.

ive thought about my blog a lot in the past 4 months but have not been able to do anything except look at the same posting i did back in January. sometimes i will take a picture and think that is a good one for my blog. i really dont do facebook dont have time and if i do log on im scurrying around to get off so i can get everything done that i need to in the little time that i have.

i write in my journal a lot that is were i find inspiration for new designs. i sketch and write and sketch and write over and over just like i did when i was a Little girl. funny how your true passion never fades away...

i havent really looked on others blogs lately just haven't had the urge to see what others are doing i found a while back that it kind of puts me in a stumper i compare myself to others and im too hard on my self. right now im content with what im doing, well as long as i keep telling myself that anyway. any artist knows that this is a struggle to be content. dont get me wrong iam inspired by other artist.

most artist live a lonely life.. ive read, but when surrounded by other creative friends it can be a different story. i do tend to keep to myself i do have some close artist friends that keep me going and vise verse we all need that.

well i will close by posting some of the pictures that i have taken along the way. believe me they are not far from my desk.....

2011-02-01T14:07:00.005-05:00

Here are some pictures from atlanta, im finally getting a chance to sit down and load them. The show was a great experience i recieved lots of new orders and met lots of new people. I had such a good time. I sit back and reflect now that it is over and it was one of the most exciting shows and experiences that has happened to me. It was also very hard and stressful there was a point on the move in date that im in my booth setting up a t 10:00 at night saying that i wish i would of been a nurse... this artist thing is too hard....okay so that thought lasted only a few minutes. but what im trying to say is that it all pays out in the end all the hard work and late nights, when you are doing what you absolutely love.... nothing is

more rewarding.

new beginnings

2011-01-08T21:02:00.003-05:00

I feel as if i can use most of my designs to descibe what i am going through even 2-3 after i created it. Wow thats interesting to me. i do create my designs based on my life and what i go through and what inspires me and this so true even years later i suppose i just keep repeated things over and over.

we all go through the journey of starting new beginnings in life way more than once. maybe for me i feel its often more than others, well you know how i am bad about comparing myself to others and of course most of the time i put my self as the under dog.

im pretty blessed now actually i do have a place to live and my kids are healthy and im healthy and everyone in my family is healthy. Change is not something i love it is actually hard for me i consider myself a creature of habit.

so as i proceed onto this new year it started with change and im sure will be filled with change and new beginnings. maybe its almost like what we dont think we are good at its often put in front of us to do and we dont even know how good we are at.

well i will be going to atlanta next week to do the atlanta gift show. this is going to a big change for me i havent done it in 5 years and its alot of work. i hope that everything goes well. i will post some of my booth pictures its amazing.....Happy new year.

the night before thanksgiving

2010-11-24T20:59:00.003-05:00

its been a while, not sure why im choosing to blog on the night before Thanksgiving, but i really haven't had a chance to until now. the apartment is still and quiet and i can actually collect some thoughts and try to write them down about what i have been doing and going through.

as you can see i chose one of my favorite saying. mending my soul, only because i do this so very often and im doing it as i type.

i moved into an apt. which has been a long time coming so now i can mend my soul in my own space.

im not sure why my life is taking me on this journey of new beginings once again, but i feel clear and right about my decisions for the first time in a while.

i call my past my stepping stones. i had to go through that to get to this. and i have to go through this to get to that. if i feel i made mistakes i have to accept them as something that i learned about myself along the way. i know so much more about myself than ever before and i feel i can make better decisions because of this.

i can beat myself up and say i wish i would of done this or that but i honestly didn't know enough about my self to make the best decision.

iam a very emotional sensitive quiet creative spirit and i cannot deal with much that cannot also deal with me the way iam. i actually dont have the patience or time anymore to put up with trying to change myself for anyone, iam who iam.

i never want to be put in another position like this again.

right now my life consist of providing for my kids by working my ass off. ok so working really hard i should say . its a great thing that i love what i do. i could work and work and work, the rewards are worth all the pain and anxiety i go through each day.

iam very blessed and thankful for this talent that God has given me and the 3 children that i have and my family and friends.

happy thanksgiving.................

still and quiet

2010-10-09T11:09:00.002-04:00

okay so here is what i do when im not working .
still and quiet this is what i have been practicing lately and it seems to work. when you are still and quiet things that you normally over think and stress on will gently be revealed.
ive had this happen alot lately and its good for me to be quiet, sometimes i get tired of hearing my voice...LOL
im hoping once again that people will relate to this, that usually is one of my goals. so let me know what you think.

becoming into me

2010-10-08T16:42:00.006-04:00

ive been away for a

while. im just now getting back to normal i had a swarm of shows and under alot of stress and pressure . now im back to eating and my normal routine.

so the first thing on my agenda when i had some time was to work how appropriate coming from an artist. this is serious business when you work as an artist full time believe me at least for me anyway i work all the time..

so anyway i was going to start some of my new paintings that have been inspired in the last couple of months

this is one of them. now let me tell you this was so deeply inspired by some amazing people or shall i say artist and creative people that i have just recently met. and of course some deep soul searching yes that is the other thing i do for a living is trying to find myself...it gets really lost along this journey of life sometimes but im happy to say as long as i know what makes me happy which is my art im good.

i have found that im all about finding others that know art, live art, create art, and so on just like me...i feel myself and i feel comfortable i feel that they understand me and to me i could not ask for anything more. artist are a little different than those non artistic creative people, we feel things deeply and we should never be looked down for that we should be embraced and nourished and when someone doesnt get it our souls starve and we become unhappy and we freak out. it took me a while to figure this out i have not always known this but i do now and im hoping that my future will be more peaceful.......i have definitely become into more of who i was meant to be.....

i have the night off so im going to work ...see what i mean.....

greenville sc

2010-09-20T19:22:00.004-04:00

once again im reminded that the people that i meet at my shows are what keep me going...ive been so blessed to have met the most inspiring people in these last few months. im so excited its like they are specially picked for me. ive had such a good time meeting people that i can relate to.

this past weekend i was in greenville sc. loved the city looking forward to revisiting...i was beside a new friend kim she was so cool we had such a good time she was from charleston i hope to see her again she made the show very nice...im so happy to have met her....

im so tired and burned out i have so much work to do, not that you want to know that, but i could sleep for days i love to sleep thats one of my favorite things to do...

thanks to all the people i have met in the past few months and all the kind words that you share with me. im so happy that my work inspires u and im so happy that we have crossed paths..

i did sell my soul mending cards....i was so excited that others related.

camping

2010-09-20T19:13:00.004-04:00

okay so first off this past week has been crazy and now i can feel that this week is even crazier..i have a show in matthews nc. this weekend at the chamber of commerce in front of the library..it should be a nice and quiet show with about 50 artist and some lovely music....nice and relaxing.

i wanted to post some pics of our camping trip..new age camping where matthew is in the tree texting..we had fun next time i know what i need...flask..lattern..mattress..

im apoligizing

2010-09-15T14:57:00.002-04:00

im sorry for that post when i was bashing other artists and how they brag and just so very not careful for others feelings....no one who reads my blog is that artsit..you would no because i wouldnt keep in touch with you.

but to make things right i should not of said anything i should not be upset for others achievements and im not for those who do it modestly and carefully especially for those of us who are still becoming into the artsit we were meant to be...i dont ever think i will ever be at point where i can say this is what ive always wanted as an arttist because we should always set higher goals....once we reach each that we accomplish...otherwise our journey would be over.....success is not a destination but a journey.....

ive been kind of harsh with my words i usually keep things to my self but i get my self in trouble when i speak out..thats why im an intrevert and i have social anxiety.....ha ha......

i hope everyone reaches there goals and makes millions just keep it simply put.......and share..ha ha

mending my soul

2010-09-14T20:49:00.003-04:00

i love the words mending my soul..this is something i relate to. i do feel like iam doing this often..so i decided to do a design. its kind of different, i hope others will relate to it too....

i will be in greenville sc this weekend.. working ..doing an art show...come out to visit if you are nearby....

2010-09-11T22:41:00.003-04:00

im not even going to say anything im just going to type....i cant help as an artist that i feel a certain way about certain things. its best not to over think things and try to figure out why you feel a certain way and totally just dissect everything, which is what i usually do. but this time im just going to accept the fact that i get really annoyed with bloggers or not bloggers who rub in their success to the point of you deleting them from your news feed after a while, because you cant take it anymore...i try to be happy for their achievements, but OMG i would never let everyone in the world know every single detail to the point of me bragging on myself and loving myself and everything i make ..because i know that there are others out there that would feel the way i do and i seem to protect others feelings...( more than not)

anyway i just cant take it anymore, i know its good to be inspired by other creative people but at this point i can only take the ones who are more modest and not so showy.

in the magazine where women create which is also annoying because only rich people can afford all the stuff, but anyway...there was a quote which i dont have in front of me but..it basically says ..Do not look at what others do to the point of where it makes you feel less of who you are...it only stifles your creativity...just keep blinders on and you will be much happier.....

oh well even if i made a million dollars from something i created i would not rub it in and say i love love love myself and show you my house and everything i ve updated and on on on on...its best to not keep everything in but its also best not to tell everything....not everybody wants to know EVERY detail of how successful you are...its annoying........

okay im done....

2010-09-07T16:52:00.010-04:00

this marks my end of the summer...i was balancing work and family but i put in a three day show this weekend in matthews nc....a three day show can be somewhat tiresome but i did it and it was good. now i can take a day off and start again. i took christian to the lake before the pool closed last week and we soaked up some sun. its so sad for summer to be over...oh well

so moving on we are going camping this weekend the kids have off a couple of days and i have a weekend off ..OMG.. thats a first. then i have 7 in a row..so much for balancing..

im working on my booth display for the upcoming market in jan. in atl...and working on new products and designs...somehow i will fit cooking and cleaning in there..

thanks to all that i met and who came out to see me this weekend..once again i reflect on my past experiences over the weekend and its a creation of happiness....love you guys...

sharing kindness

2010-08-31T22:42:00.003-04:00

this is really weird for me to blog twice in one day but i have to get some things out. and if i write in my journal no one sees it and i feel that if someone is going through what i am it might in someway help them and or me too.

anyway i was feeling not so happy today and i checked my sharing kindness on my blog. i almost cried not really but really...im going through so many things right now but push them aside by burying myself in work and that somehow justifies it all not really but a quick fix..

back to the sharing kindness after checking what this last person wrote..shannon ..if you ever read this.. thank you so much. i read your message at the right time just when i needed someone to tell me that everything is going to be ok in my own way thats what i read anyway..i always 2nd geuss myself.

as i scrolled down im reading all these lovely things and its like a dream that i cant even see but im looking for...i know that doesnt make sense but its kind of like you searching for something that you may already have.

im way to hard on myself at times worse than others but it does happen to me.

but anyway not sure why i wanted to share this...but when people share you never know how it might touch another person and what it might do for them....thats kind of what my whole journey as an artist is all about....thats what im out to do and im not even realizing that im doing it....its about me not thinking highly enough of myself...i do it over and over and i need to somehow find a way to accept all that i have accomplished.

so when ever the opportunity arises... share kindness......

from hi to lo

2010-08-31T18:35:00.006-04:00

okay so any of you who do art shows you might relate to the feeling of being on this high and then a couple of days later you sink down to a low...its like your adrenaline runs out and you become a little depressed...not sure why but it does happen some times...just wondering if just me, well actually i know its not ive discussed this with other artsit....they agree.

ive had my phone on silent for three days now...dont want to hear it ring. i do check it but only on my terms.

the problem im having is i have a show this weekend. im so burned out it has taken me all day to cut out 10 notecards and make 2 pendants...wow thats sad....im in so much trouble....i need to get my act together.....

oh well may be tomorrow will be back to normal.....

cary weekend

2010-08-29T14:23:00.003-04:00

i was in cary nc this past weekend doing a show just one day, saturday. its always been one of my favorite shows ive been doing it for a long time it was one of my real first art shows. so 10-12 years later im still invited back and i thoroughly enjoy it. its easier for me to say that though after im home and had a good nights sleep because its a very hard show to do. its almost like a three day show crammed into one day..

i have to thank my mom and amy for all the support i couldnt do it without you guys...its always great to mix work and fun..and that we did....

this is amy and my mom....love you guys thanks so much................................i was able to have my best one day show ever.......

banner elk weekend. no pictures

2010-08-23T22:24:00.003-04:00

i had my show this weekend in banner elk. of course i did not bring my camera. forgot even though i wrote it down not to. anyway it was a great weekend . it rained on saturday and sunday was beautiful. i met a lot of cool new artist at this show. i actually even bought some things that is rare for me being that i see the same things over and over and nothing seems to appeal to me, but this weekend i found some thing.. i will share with you as soon as i take the picture of it....i promise you you have never seen this....

on the other hand the kids start school in 2 days and i have 3 days to get ready to go to cary nc for a show on sat. so in other words im stressed before being stressed if you know what i mean. i can feel it coming on. therefore i should not be blogging right now i should be working which i was before i felt like i needed to write.

i sold all of my gratitude stones...so that was a good idea..

pics soonof my new favorite thing i bought.........

gratitude stone

2010-08-19T09:52:00.007-04:00

a customer gave me this idea. from the book the secret they talk about a gratitude rock, you carry it with you and each time you touch, feel, or see it you automatically start to think about all the things you are thankful for. it keeps your mind positive and on the right track. i thought it was a good idea.......i made it a gratitude stone......

apothecary cabinet

2010-08-17T20:00:00.003-04:00

this is my new old apothecary cabinet. i have always loved these and now that i have one im so excited. i just need to refinish it not sure how to do it but its my new project so this is the before picture.

cant wait to get started.....its from the 1920's it was in a drug store in PA.

my neighbor tom had it in his garage and i asked about it a couple of years ago and he said he wasnt surewh athe was going to do with it..

so a couple of weeks ago he said he was ready to get rid of it and asked me if i still wanted it....yessssssssssss......this is the best piece of furniture ive ever had....

i quess you can tell i love anitques..i would so rather have something old with character that something new......i love all the little drawers...

whitewater rafting this past weekend

2010-08-17T09:09:00.002-04:00

yes, i went. thought i would post the photo. its been a long time since i went down the nantahalla. last time i was with my aunt lori when she was in college. i was really young about 11-12. so i have been wanting to go. i have been wanting to do something adventurous this summer. and it was. it takes about 2 hours to get down the river but we did it in less...
now i have to come up with the next adventure..ideas are welcome...

pictures

2010-08-08T21:09:00.006-04:00

Sometimes im able to work a show and also have some time with family. i worked in burnsville nc this weekend and had a great show and in the mean time the kids were hanging out with grandma and grandpa.

im trying to take some pics of my booth but im not doing a good job im not liking the pics so that must mean my booth is not good because this is how it looks. i need a redo but cant seem to come up with how to do it. oh well i will keep trying. atleast remembered my camera this time.

the weekend was nice and quiet after work i took the kids to the river and we looked for trout and only found a crawdad. we picked up rocks and skipped a couple. christian loved it.

my mom cooked some good food for us all. we had no reception on the mountain so i did alot of reading and eating..yum yum. the sleeping was a bit much me and christian in a twin size bed. the weather so comfortable no air conditioning needed and the view was awesome. hopefully we can do it again for years to come..thanks to all who came to the show i had a great time. until next time .......

no pictures

2010-07-25T22:29:00.004-04:00

its amazing ,i had a very exciting weekend in asheville doing one of my favorite art shows and for got my sim card to put in my camera so the only documentation i have is recorded in my head...
so all my experiences will be gathered and wriiten down on paper to later go back and look at sometime or rather not look but read....
i had a great show lots of people stopped by my booth shared lots of kindness thanks so much.
i met some really nice inspiring people.
i had some really good food falefel tofu and hummus
oh yes and i got lost on saturday night and didnt get to eat, very frustrating.
i was able to spend some time with one of my bffs heaven and her husband so good to see them.
oh yea i was able to see my friend from middle school clara who comes to visit me from morganton each year.
i had really nice neighbors who made my 3 10 hour days enjoyable.
i met some really great artist and was able to share and give information with.
i love asheville and im going back soon not to work but to eat and shop.
even though it was hot as you know what i cant wait till next year.....
thanks to all who made my show a success.....

finally

2010-07-19T23:32:00.005-04:00

im suppose to be working getting ready for my upcoming show this weekend in asheville, yeah im so excited i love belle chere. anyway here is my new design. i was writing a card to my friend and this kind of came out onto the paper, and i was like Omy this would be a great card... so here it is and i get to use my love for old typewritters........my 11 year old son said this is now his favorite.. okay gotta get to work bye.

you become what you believe

2010-07-15T23:55:00.004-04:00

well okay im over my last blog entry that was and is a struggle for me. and so life goes on and i have created a new design. which by the grace of God i was able to finish this evening, yes the kids destroyed the house and lots screaming and carrying on and well this is pretty much what i did do, so once again im behind on all my other stuff. i have to sacrifice to paint, which i dont do often because of that reason. oh well the summer is suppose to be fun for the kids that is, im trying to enjoy as much as i can. im not getting my work done so its hard for me because i want to work and i cant.

so here are some things that ive enjoyed doing while not working

reading

staying up late sleeping late

working out

amusement parks

pool

eating good food

visiting family from afar

play dates

watching movies

some cleaning not much though

shopping

running the kids here and there.....

blogging

yeah happy summer!!!!!!!

life

2010-07-13T22:59:00.009-04:00

im not so sure why some things in life have to be so confusing. maybe its just me or maybe not. but when it comes to sharing your life with someone you sometimes have to feel that it may be you. because to me it seems simple from my point of view and very odd that the other half has no idea or reasoning on how or why i feel the way i do. this is very hard for me to grasp. all im asking is that maybe i could be heard and atleast my point of view taken into consideration. but no im learning that the situations that i have created with relationships doesnt work that way. im just completely out of mind and not able to express myself without being or feeling like im in the wrong.

ironically i picked up the book eat pray love at the book store. im so happy when i can relate myself to others and i dont feel like a complete alien. my whole makeup was not made to have relationships or atleast healthy ones for long periods of time. is that something i can just except? especially with kids involved, its like i have to make it work at that point and then it comes to a point of working your ass off to be with someone. wow never thought marriage had to be so hard and complex. some people make it look alot easier and happier.

so if your just reading my blog for the first time its not normal that i right in depth about my personal life but sometimes i can just not help it. this is just me and what my life consist of. a struggle with having a partner. and me constantly wondering is me or is there something wrong with me. why am i this way and why do i do this. its very honest to say that im always soulsearching not just in my career but in life in general it never ends. is this how life is? is there a light at the end of the tunnel is there a point where you soul is satisfied? actually i just wrote that word down soulsatisfying im stunned to think that maybe my soul will ever be satisfied or is it that some souls are never satisfied. if so im sorry for the other half to have to deal with me..........i wish i would of known this before i ever went searching for the other half to make me whole.

summer fun

2010-07-05T10:28:00.004-04:00

gabby, gaby and kyrie sliding down the rockslide

christian and matthew at the lakehouse

me, gabby and christian at her middle school graduation

I ve been off for 2 weeks feels weird not to work, now ive got so much to do in five days to be ready for a show this upcoming weekend.

just wanted to post some fun nonworking pictures of me and the kids the summer is flying by.
we took a trip to the mountains for a family Reunion and the kids rode down the rock slide. it was nice and relaxing. ate lots of good food and just read and sketched a couple of things.
it was nice being around family

hope everyone is getting lots of r&r over the summer. take care.
its back to the drawing board for me....

nashville

2010-06-23T22:29:00.002-04:00

i decided that i will do an entry about my show that i just did in nashville. so real quickly i will just say that it was unbelievable. i had the best time and met some really nice people and had some really good food. the heat was a little unbearable but im able to deal with the heat pretty well so it wasnt to bad. i sold pretty much everything i had. i was so excited. everything about this trip will go down in history thanks you guys.......

shows

2010-06-13T20:01:00.007-04:00

i finally hit a breaking point with traveling and working and everything. wow it comes out of the blue and you know that you have totally extended your self to the limits.

but i persevered as a good friend of mine put it. and i pushed through it and made it out the other side. so now i have 3 days till i leave for nashville. OMG so i hope i dont have another breakdown and i am more mentally prepared im trying but i have alot of work to do in the next 3 days.

i made a list of some thoughts i had while at this show i was in this past weekend. the one good thing about it was i was right across the way from a live band called the honeycutters from asheville if not for that i would of probably gone completely crazy.

music puts me in a different state of mind and i forget all the things that bother me. especially live good music i could listen all day long. and actually thats what i did all day long.

ok so here is what i wrote :

look ahead

new stories

let the past go

dont let others control your thoughts

dont assume anything

its all about the experience

laugh..it frees your mind

music feeds your soul

choose to be happy

dont let others make you feel lonely

lonely is a 6 letter word

dont say to much

write down your thoughts

make sure you give back

dont think about it

a broken heart heals slowly

creative people feel things deeply

deep down inside i know true love doesnt last

enjoy your children

dont give up

look forward to the new

dont keep everything inside

fear nothing.

story

2010-05-25T22:21:00.002-04:00

well yes this is true. you know me and words i ran across this word and i immediately started thinking what i could do with it. it is a powerful word. i love it. so yes here is a quick version of what i did with it. im working on an actual original design we will see how or what it turns out to be.

on another note its been a while since i have posted anything. i was so busy with my marathon of shows. that was definitely an awesome experience ha now that it is over. i had such a cool time doing what i love selling my art meeting new people and being outside.

well back to the drawing board. i have one weekend off and then im back on the road. check my website to see if im in a town near you. take care.

perfect

2010-04-20T10:38:00.001-04:00

Yes i know its not possible to be perfect but while trying you stay in the game and atleast you are always being challenged to be your best. This is my newest design and it seems to be a good one i sold lots of it at my last show. its exactly me and how i feel so when i saw this on a fortune cookie paper i wrote it down.

In other news i have been enjoying my shows they have been very fun and exciting ive been surrounded with family and friends with alot of support and its a great thing. Im taking in all the kind words and wisdom that they are sharing and its helping think outside my box. Im a creature of habit. so its shining new light on me and what i do all the time.

check out my website and order this print you will like it. thanks everyone love you and take care

happy spring

2010-04-05T21:00:00.013-04:00

Ive neglected my blog. Others are so good at it. oh well my new painting will take care of that its going to say ..dont wish to be anything but what you are. and be that the best u can be...blogging is not one of my specialties..ive never been a really creative writer that draws you in. i wish that i was though, okay here i go again..

so whats been going on in my world well weve had birthdays christian turned 3 i turned 41.

i had an awesomwe time in Florida for my grandmothers 90th. thats her and my aunt above.

i was able to connect with some cousins and other family it was very nice to get away.

we made it through the winter just barley i felt like the world was coming to an end without

doing any artshows.

now ive over booked my self i have 6 in a row its either feast or famine around here. ha ha

so right now its feast. i just finished up my first big show and it was great, sold 2 originals im so happy about that. along with all my other cards, bookmarks, pendants, vintage boards, giving stones, etc.

i used my new tent for the first time it took me an hour and half to get it up...okay so hopefully i get better at it. im starting to ramble on i better check out for now . im doing well and hope all you other artist and crafters are as well, let me know how your new year is going love to hear from you take care.

true to yourself

2010-03-11T20:20:00.004-05:00

thats pretty much what i have been lately true to myself and to myself for that matter. i surely havent blogged this is the time of the year that i dont have alot of time sit around and surf and see what others are up too. im pretty much into my own thing.

im actually getting ready to board a flight to west palm in the morning to celebrate my grandma 90th birthday. can t wait going by myself wish hubby was going but we couldnt swing it.

i did post my new designs truth and voice which are available on my website. i love how they turned out.

hope everyone is doing good. i will keep in touch periodically.

i forgot to mention free shipping in shop for the month of march and free truth pendant for all orders over 35.00. thanks

its friday

2010-02-19T10:12:00.005-05:00

yes these days are always good days for some reason when sunday rolls around im always looking back to friday and saying i wish it were here again.

i had a rough night last night, my eyes are swollen from the crying i couldnt get to sleep and i have a huge decision to make. im not sure what to do but im on my way to the gym and i hope that after an intense workout i will have a clear mind and i will know exactly what to do. well maybe not exactly but im hopeing i will have a clear mind and know thati will me making the right decision.

so yesterday i read my bible and i looked up guidance i found such inspiration , it carried me through the day.

God fills your conscience with the perfect truth- He teaches your mind, directs your will and guides your emotions.

Like a flashlight your were designed to shine, but one can never shine with your own power. The Holy Spirit provides the power to produce light.

so often we try to make decisions on our own im very quilty of this. i really need direction and im relying on faith that the right decision will be made.

have a good weekend and dont be afraid to ask for help he knows the truth.

birthdays

2010-02-16T12:41:00.007-05:00

gabbys birthday was monday she turned 14. thats my mom with her we celebrated on sat. she had about 10 friends and we did a scavenger hunt it was fun for them. i was exhausted a five hour birthday party then driving for and hour and a half to drop everyone off. OMG

my birthday is coming in 2 weeks i will be 41 and christians is two weeks later he will be 3. so all these birthdays..

havent been doing to much work stuff my mom duties seem to be taking over. not sure how this is going to work hopefully will be having my first art show for the year in about 5 weeks from now.

yes i have asick one at home today so we are trying to clean and get ready for a nap so i can work some.

hope everyone is getting alot done. talk to you soon

aha moment..... listening to your inner voice the first time

2010-02-05T13:55:00.003-05:00

okay so sometimes it takes me awhile for things to click in my brain to assure me that iam doing the right thing. and the way i know is that i have this aha moment where i am very happy and excited and i feel it deep in my soul and heart that this is it.

so i stared my newsletter campaign a couple of months ago which was one of my goals for a long time with a dear friend who helped me get it launched it is something definitely outside of my normal box and i have anxiety about figuring it out...but we did it. i just did my 3rd one. let me start by saying i stink at writing as ive been told before i shouldnt think about writing i should just write. of course i dont, i stress and rewrite and erase and worry about what it says and so on. this last newsletter in my opinion had no life to it was really sad the Way it turned out.

so i go on and look at ideas of how to make news letters better and what to put in the subject line so people will open of course my subject line was not suggested a good one after the fact that it already went out.

so heres where the light bulb comes on and everything is full circle and im screaming with happiness inside..ha ha not really...when i first thought about doing a news letter i wanted to call it art therapy 101 and talk about the art work i created in which is therapy to me for what im going through at this time in my life..what i need in words to help me with everyday life struggles, when i say words i mean words that i use in my work.... so the body of the newsletter was going to be me explaining my life and how these words and illustrations are therapeutic in hopes to being able to touch others that might be feeling the same way.

but here is where i loose myself . i did not follow through i did not trust myself i was not even being myself (in those first few newsletters) i second guessed my self i was thinking what other people would think it was stupid i am constantly comparing myself to others and dissing me. okay that means i look down on myself thiningk iam not good enough.

why it took this exact moment for me to realize i needed to go with my first gut feeling and why i didnt listen to that little voice inside my head the first time i have no idea . but i did realize that this is what i do with alot of things in my life. i have very little confidence which ive known my whole life but im always fighting through trying to bring myself up and facing all the challenges that go with low self esteem etc.

so at that very moment last night i wrote my march newsletter and there was no struggle what so ever it just flowed out of my soul and heart like water. and it was me this is who iam. im doing what is natural not 2nd guessing and it was so awesome to have this feeling...just like im writing right now this is me and who iam. i have a very gentle spirit and a fragile heart and soul. im not sure why but thats who iam.

my art and creativity does not flow all the time sometimes it takes a while for me to have the creative spark. when i try to force it i can feel the awkwardness. and for some reason im comparing myself to others and trying t0 be like somebody im not. if i could chill with the comparisons and be me.

iam so syked about my new work that will definetly touch on this so that i can share with others that might be going through the same thing..this is why i create so that i can make a beautiful card and step back and look at it and be reminded of what i need to feed my soul.

so be on the look out for vintage girl designs art therapy 101
listening to your inner voice march issue

on another note my weakness keep me form succeeding the way i want to be. and my weaknesses are all things that i can change if i would just be myself and stop 2nd guessing and have the confidence that i should....it sounds easy but its not. take care hope to hear your thoughts on this. love you to all who support me and encourage me everyday.

embrace life

2010-01-29T14:28:00.009-05:00

ive been away from the computer for a while if anything i tweet every now and then but for blogging ive neglected this duty. what better day than friday to write these are always happy days because the weekend is here.

ive been busy with the kids and doing my daily chores. im able to do some work in between... filling orders and making product, i made 2 new giving stones in the mix love the words. im thinking of starting some more paintings, since the last 4 i havent been back into the paints.

i was featured on a blog recently a cool marketing chic i met on twitter. she has an etsy site and is a consultant. okay yeah so no comments thats okay ummmmmmm may be like me she doesnt have alot of traffic to her site. but yes iam thankful to be fearured.

this time of the year goes by so slow for me i have lots of things i could be doing but id rather be in a nice warm place selling my art oh well im hoping it goes by fast that is feb and march.....okay so only 2 more months 2 go.

ive been applying for some of my fave shows i had to take a pic of my studio again so i cleaned up and believe me its a small area no one is allowed past the invisible line on the carpet. my 2 year old loves to play with my stuff but i get real angry and he says hes helping me fix things...sometimes i let him sit at my desk with his paints and he loves it, he pretends he is me and and yells "stay away from my things." ha ha

today im suppose to be working on my jan. newsletter wow only a few days left in jan. i think i blogged about that last time. okay so you see i dont get to work as much as needed. hopefully i can do that today. hope everyone has a great weekend..stay positive... and embrace life the good and the bad. new prints available now.

new design

2010-01-20T10:52:00.003-05:00

Im revealing on of my new for designs for sale which are on my website already the originals are for sale too. i really love what this says i can so relate to it and hoping others will to. it took me a while to decide but once i got it down i loved it. im trying to get my news letter out to promote my new designs and some kind of promotion not sure yet...

i found some really neat people/writers on twitter that iam now following so inspiring.
i will post some for you sporadically.

dont compare

2010-01-17T21:57:00.005-05:00

i know i shouldnt compare myself to others because have no idea what their journey consist of. but sometimes its still hard.

another person on twitter says it perfectly: in order to make it as an artist you have to be at the right place at the right time. thats so true. ive done a few things that if i would of done them right the first time i may be in a better position than im in now. meaning being in the right venue at the atlanta gift show, instead of being in the wrong place for 3 years in a row and now i know i should of been in the handmade sectiom. oh well whatever. my journey is winding and i quess curvy.

i finished my 4 paintingsthat i have been working on for the last 2 weeeks. wow that took forever. now ive got to market and make things. i have some wholesale accounts in trying to fill for some local coffee shops and gift shops. okay so things arent so bad.

im trying to organize myself to apply for some upcoming shows thats a pain. i took pics this weekend so i can be ready to send stuff out on tuesday.

im always thinking of different things thati can do. so those of you who are artist and paint but dont have the resouces or time to make products, im offering my services to get a package of products to you. i make magnets, givingstones, prints, bookmarks pendants, notecards, posters 16x20. vintage boards. you can look on my website to seeif you are interested. im thinking of going intomy own manufacturing co. and make my own gift line and incorporte other artist and their designs to sell all over the us. kindof like Natural life if youve ever heard of them. but back to the package im charging 75.00 for a few of all the products more details just shoot me an email and definetly check out my website. it really makes a difference when your art is put into several different products for people to chose from. they will atleast buy something if they like your stuff, plus it gives them different price points.

okay so on another note my 2 year old is so busy im really spending alot of time keeping him occupied boys are nonstop. OMG work is a foreign work when he is at home and not in preschool. so all you artist that get to work with no interuptions take advantage. but all of us moms that do have the interruptions well when it comes down to it they do grow up fast and boy at two they are so cute. i could squeeze him over and over.

so to the artist that has everything going for her right now, which there is a certain one im talking about you have all the success right now but i woulnt replace it for my kids...she doesnt have kids so yes your journey might be a little different.....

i love you in giving stones

2010-01-13T10:39:00.008-05:00

thinking of some cute and inexpensive ways to say i love you on valentines day.

check out my shop to see all the ones available.

its time

2010-01-10T20:34:00.002-05:00

i feel like its been forever, im neglecting my blog so many things have happened since the last time. one funny thing a couple of blogs ago i mentioned my husband and him not reading my blog well he read it that next day ironically. whatever i didnt say anything too bad.

i have started working on some new designs i have 2 out of 5 done im saving until they all get done to reveal. that should be exciting. im going to send out a news letter with some fresh new stuff. by the way my deadline is friday. OMG

im still trying to finish a questionnaire for a blog that i still havent gotten done. thats bad. i feel like i procrastinate but i get tired of doing stuff. with 4 kids all home it can be pretty busy. sometimes i just sit and stare and then i feel bad im not folding the 5 loads of laundry piled in my closet. oh well.

im trying to keep up with my work priorities i can feel myself slacking i need to go back to my list or write it all on my hand so i dont forget.

i wish i was going to atlanta for the gift show oh well lets put that on our list for july or next jan.

i have found some inspiration for my lifestyle these days and thats day by day if i can just take everything day by day and not try to think of month or year which i tend to do .it overwhelms me. if i can just get through one day to next i will be okay.

i hope everyone else is keeping up with their new goals for the year. i will be back soon.

share kindness in 2010

2010-01-01T10:44:00.007-05:00

this is an email i recieved from one of my customers the other day letting me know how my work was given as christmas presents he bought in asheville over the summer that he took back to Florida. thought i would share my inspiration with you.

Hey Michelle . . . .just a couple of pics of my wife Susan , my daughter Andrea , and the pieces that I bought back at Bele Chere (and hid until Christmas).

Keep on doin’ your thing. Your work is much appreciated.

Thanks
Paul Varner in Jax , FL

change

2009-12-29T21:17:00.003-05:00

there are a list of things i need to change for the upcoming 2010. my head is spinning with list, ideas, and so many things that i need to do.

the kids are out of school and i cant seem to get anything done work wise and its so hard because i really want to work and get started on my new business plan that i still havent finished putting on paper. im trying to enjoy this time off with kids. patience and serenity is what i have to remind myself.

im not one of these moms or artist that has the perfect life or atleast some of these blogs i read it seems to come across that way. iam a mom with a 2 year old and a 10 year old and a 13 year old, we are all in therapy and thats all ill say about that for now. except the 2 year old he is not in therapy but screams and shouts all the time because his sibling aggravate him.

dont let me get started on my marriage OMG. thats all i will say about that except for this one thing, having a relationship is one of the hardest things. per a therapist and me.

okay so last but not least my career. im an artist im very sensitive and im not a social butterfly im much more of an introvert than extrovert. its hard for me to write i keep alot of stuff inside. per a writer dont think about what you write just write so thats what im trying to do each time i do a new blog post. i want to have followers as you can see i only have a few but im trying to change how i write so it can be more interesting so im just being myself and writing whats on my mind and not thinking to much so therefore i might get myself in trouble, well maybe not, as long as i dont write about my marriage. maybe later ..i doubt he even reads my blogs.

so back to change here are some things im trying to change for the biz. for 2010.

press i need press this year
followers i need more followers change how i write my blog. more interesting
be more organized
atleast 3 new paintings a month
dont give myself more than i can do with the life that i have
keep my goals on a big board in my studio
tweet and blog everyday
do better with the accounting side of my biz. i suck at this
follow up on my leads

im hoping i can keep up with these changes . i will keep you updated, let me know if you have any ideas. thanks

serenity

2009-12-23T17:49:00.003-05:00

cant wait to wear this and see if the word seeps into my soul the word serenity sound so peaceful and calm. thats what i want to feel.

its almost over

2009-12-23T15:56:00.005-05:00

it hard to believe that i can say santa is coming tomorrow night..wow its always hard to realize that all this rushing is going to be over tomorrow night. of course im going to be out running errands and finishing up last minute things today and tomorrow. oh well . i am also trying to work im in the middle of cleaning out my studio space each time i get started i get on the net and start tweeting or reading emails and by that time my son wakes up and its all over so i have been working on cleaning my space for about a week now..ha ha ....hope everyone is doing well it will be over soon.....

the original

2009-12-13T13:01:00.003-05:00

this is the original that i traded the pottery for. its an 8x8 on wood panel. so happy that it is going to a good home.

its really rainy and cold outside today. i was given the opportunity to work in peace while my husband and kids are away. its amazing how much you get done when there is peace and quiet. so now im off to workout, run a few errands, & find food for dinner. christmas shopping is still not in the picture for today. Happy Sunday.

my new pottery

2009-12-12T14:54:00.004-05:00

im so excited about my new dishes that i got from this super nice potter friend. her daughter wanted one of my originals over the summer so we secretly worked out a trade. she made them especially for me i was able to pick out the color and size. cant wait to use them....

my hubby and i are celebrating out 5th anniversary tonight. going to eat sushi. he just ran a marathon here in charlotte in under 3 hours so im sure he will be tired...fun fun

im still working on shipping orders and getting ready to paint. waiting for that burst of creativity to come out and onto the paper. still havent thought about shopping. maybe we can skip christmas this year...oh well hope you enjoy your saturday.

rush rush rush

2009-12-11T21:29:00.006-05:00

i must say i havent bought one gift and i have 3 kids and a step daughter. im not a great shopper i have to look and look until i find the best deal and something has to be the right gift i cannot just go out and buy. im not really into the holidays like some people are. i get overwhelmed and off schedule with all this stuff, its like all of sudden everything is rushed and busy. the older i get the less my body can handle it i have to be very peaceful to get my work accomplished . i just offered BOGO half off on my website. that was very stressful because i launched the newsletter right before dinner the other night and complications arose. i know not to do that again at that time. im still learning.

i did this original painting for a customer that is getting married tomorrow from atlanta. they were so nice and happy about this painting. i wish them well 2morrow. prints available in my shop.

happy holidays.

christmas cards to send out. cookies to bake. preschool luncheons. choir concerts. basketball practice. shopping. anniversary. homework. work. BREATHE

happy shipping

2009-12-09T14:47:00.004-05:00

now that i uploaded this pic, its really

boring but i snapped this at the post office today. ive been busy shipping some last minute items..yeah !! im really excited about some new things that im working on since ive finished up my shows for the year. ive gotta break out of my box and try new things im such a creature of habit and its hard for me do step out, but i do feel ready to make some changes in my business and to see new things happen and flourish. i have to keep focused and im putting up a huge board and writing everything down so i can see each day my goals that i need to accomplish. im cleaning out my studio so i can have a fresh new start. ive gotta start my creative process so im looking for things to spark my creative genes. im gonna venture out this weekend. i will let you know what happens. let me know if you have any ideas.

the view

2009-12-04T14:33:00.002-05:00

im really not able to see the view right now but i do know that iam blessed to have what i have and to do what i do. i just know there are moments that we go through where it seems that nothing is going right for us. right now my climb seems very steep and winding. i also know that things could be alot worse and i should be thankful.
im never going to give up and im going to climb until i see the view, the interesting thing is once i get there i will then strive for another view, so lesson to be learned you will always be on your own little journey so take in and enjoy and be thankful... this pendant will be available soon. wearing it tonight to my art show....

the day after

2009-11-30T21:19:00.005-05:00

i met some new friends at the show sarah and jude. they are so nice. this is me and sarah. they have a neat business called lemongrass and twine. cool gifts. the show was very slow at times so it was great to be able to talk with these guys....
it was good to get home. i enjoyed my time at the show and i can say it was worth it. the fifteen minutes of crying i did on the way, not being sure if i was doing the right thing. but now i can say it was. i love what i do..
now im back to work i have a 2 small shows this weekend. and i have orders to ship. and kids to tend too and a messy house to clean so i will be busy for the next week. i sold all my fearless necklaces. im so happy i love the message and i promise they do make you feel fearless. i have so much going on in my personal life that i have to wear mine so i can make it through the next couple of months. you should get one.

happy thoughts

2009-11-28T21:56:00.003-05:00

this picture was taken right before i left on thanksgiving. ive been starring at it off and on while im here at the show. it makes me happy and of course cant wait to get home to see the kids...
so im only going to say good things about the show. what i have learned since i have been doing shows (about 10 years) is its not all about the money although its a big part and very nice to do well, but there are things to appreciate when the money is not always there or in abundance.

the people you meet. when there is another artist or vendor that becomes a dear friend or your truly enjoyed getting the chance to meet.

you learn about other shows or venues that others have experienced so that you to can now add the shows to your list.

the compliments you get from your customers about your work. okay this is worth it all to hear someone say you are so talented, or we love your art, or our whole house is filled with your art.

this has nothing to do with my art but a friend that met today said i looked like i was 26...that made my day i told her that was worth me coming to the show even if dont make any money. ha ha

i meet a lot of older artist that have been doing this for years its encouraging to be surrounded by them i usually ask lots of questions and get lots of advise.

its just awesome to be around others that do the same thing that you do and that share the same passion with...

yes it is important to make money because you want what you do to be worth it. so the advise i can give is dont do that show again and move on...you never know unless you try just dont give up....

delight yourself in the lord and he shall give you the desires of your heart. psalm 37 4:5

one down two to go

2009-11-27T21:29:00.006-05:00

okay so the day at the show was good. after working my butt off this is what i feel the magnet, (also available in a pendant) above says it all. i can finally breathe and take in all the rewards. with faith and trust i believe all things are possible...its going to all be worth it!

working on thanksgiving

2009-11-26T23:23:00.003-05:00

i hope its worth it is what im saying to myself as im driving to raleigh. its hard to leave family on holidays, but i had to tell myself im not the only one. i was okay after about 15 minutes. talked on the phone the whole 3 hour drive so it went by fast. set up my booth until 9pm. still not done. these shows really scare me its the unknown with all this. i have to pray and trust that everything is going to be okay. im happy the wifi is working so i dont have to cut bookmarks id much rather work on my twittering...and blogging. its really late and i have to get up earlier to finish up my booth. i will check in tomorrow to let u know how it was.

late nights

2009-11-25T22:38:00.006-05:00

i hope im not the only artist who is staying up late working so i can travel the afternoon on thanksgiving to work fri. sat. sun. im headed to raleigh to do the christmas carousel. last minute decision. so of course i had to work my butt off for a week to get everything ready. okay so i have to be thankful for things....ummmim thankful for many but here are a few..

for getting my hair trimmed today i can finally brush it now

for my kids i love them dearly and they are healthy

for my friends they seem to be there alot for me lately to listen

learning twitter i like it better than facebook

for trader joes shopping there makes me happy

being able to do what i love

my mom

my ability to keep learning to do what i do better.

i hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving i hope i can blog and tweet while im gone.

one more show im doing in raleigh nov.27-29

2009-11-16T17:47:00.004-05:00

okay so just when i thought i was going to get a break im now back into full work mode with making everything i can until next wed. i decided to do the christmas carousel in raleigh on thanksgiving weekend. OMG. so anyway i just wanted to get the word out so all those customers in raleigh were wondering if i was coming back...click here to get a dollar off admission. click here to find directions and information about the show.

sat.night

2009-11-14T22:29:00.004-05:00

gabby thanks for your help......

raleigh is a 3 hour drive we returned home safe and sound. its late. the red bush hot tea i purchased from starbucks is keeping me awake still. everyone is asleep and iam able to blog and watch murder mysteries. im posting pics form the show today. i was is in wakeforest. first time i have been there it was an interesting show. i took my daughter with me in case we forget she is 13 OMG. thats all i will say for now. i have to love her through this age and i will repeat this over and over...

okay so the show yes it was successful. i received lots of awesome feedback. im happy everyone liked my work. i will come back again....

RALEIGH MISTLETOE MARKET

2009-11-11T22:54:00.002-05:00

getting ready for the raleigh show. of course im down to the wire. ive never done the show before so not sure how much i need or what i need of what products so i have to do a little of everything. if your in the area of wakefeild high school stop by...see you soon.

these days go by fast!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-10T22:14:00.002-05:00

It takes me a long time to recover from shows only because i have 3 kids of them is 2 and thats all i have to say. my mom and i went to atlanta to do the marist show we had a great time and sold lots of stuff. now i have 2 days to get ready to do the mistletoe market in raleigh. yeah. this has been a hectic week, alot of personal issues with things so my life is hectic. i was not able to finish up my newsletter this week which was first on my calendar. Christian was sick and is still i had to go to court today and the kids are out of school tomorrow for veterans day. OMG and i still have not been able to go to the grocery store. oh and did i mention i have to leave for raleigh in 3 days . taking things one day at a time. i will post some pics later see im so off right now, you cant blog without pictures.....dahhh!!!!

Lots of writing lately

2009-10-23T21:45:00.006-04:00

This has been kind of a weird week. ive stepped out of my box of working making things, to working on my new project which is my newsletter and new improved website, not to mention change, i changed the name of my biz from mds designs to Vintage girl designs. click here to get the details on why.

I have a really good friend and hopefully partner that has pushed me and encouraged me to finally get the ball rolling. Ive been so out of it this week because ive been out of my norm, but its been worth it once i see what ive accomplished. i never would take the time before, i always feel like i cant not make things so i can sell.

No one tells you while your studying to be an artist that you also have to be a bussiness person. i have learned alot over the years and still learning. and OMG the marketing, you really have to be good at that and i need lots of help with that. There are so many things you need to do besides create. it would be great if you could create and have the business part taken care of but hopefully one day that dream will come.

original sold

2009-10-12T21:48:00.003-04:00

i sold this original and my happy is beautiful this weekend. the person that bought them was very sweet. its kind of cool to meet the person and have a connection, she is an interior designer so not sure if she is going to keep them for herself or use them for her clients. anyway just thought i would share that with you. the prints are available online i also did a fearless pendant of course im wearing that one for a while.

my shows are slowing down i think ive done 3 or 4 in a row need a break but im working on some projects for individual customers for a wedding and mercy hospital is opening a gift shop so they placed an order. i want to start some new originals and get ready for my show in atlanta for the first of november. that would be at marist high school.

this should keep me busy for a while and not to mention i forget im working on my news letter OMG when this thing releases its going to be a breakthrough its been on the back burner for so long. but it is going to happen im hoping it will inspire lots of xmas sales....okay if it comes out before xmas thats the key.....

my business name will soon be changing to something new this will all be revealed in the letter
if i havent already told you. i cant remember. stay tuned

vintage girl designs

2009-10-07T10:47:00.004-04:00

i finished few designs that i have not yet posted, but have already been selling. this was inspired by drew barrymoore i read she had said happy people are beautiful. as soon as i read that i loved it and thought about my mom who is always happy and always beautiful. so i really wanted to illustrate this in my artwork. since doing so i have had great response everyone seems to relate to this and i pretty much sold out of all that i made at my last 2 shows. you can now order off my website happy is beautiful in all of my products. enjoy

news letter

2009-10-06T14:32:00.000-04:00

i have a good friend that is helping me work on my newsletter that i have been wanting to do for a long time. she has got everything almost together. i took some pics of some of my products this weekend at the show to display both on my website and the newsletter so people can get an idea of what they look like. there will soon be a link where you can sign up on my website and blog for my newsletter. check back soon.

etsy craft attack

2009-10-05T17:50:00.002-04:00

im so syked i had a great show in chapel hill yesterday i love college towns. they really dig my artwork. im hoping this weekend will be good i will be here in charlotte doing the etsy craft attack. the weather is iffy but maybe it will clear up. thanks to all who supported me in matthews and in chapel hill love you guys...see you soon...

matthews artfest

2009-09-22T15:48:00.005-04:00

i read the back of the oprah magazine for inspiration called what i know for sure and this past one was the best of all time as far as an ahha moment for me. full circle this is exactly how i feel. i was so excited to illustrate this quote. this is so me if i would not have done this design and would have seen it some where else i would have bought it and bought it big and put it all over my house thats how much i love these words that oprah said. so let me know what you think.

matthews art fest is this weekend in front of the public library. hope to see you there...

new design

2009-09-15T23:21:00.003-04:00

im only painting for the next week and a half to be able to sell my originals at an upcoming art show. so this is the first ive been able to paint in a while since i did your passion reflects who you are which has turned out to be a great design people seem to love it and thats usually my goal is to put what i like on paper and hope that others can relate too.
so this design was inspired by a sign that i saw that just said love you more. that is what i say to my husband and kids...so i made it into a giving stone..very popular i sell out whenever i have it. people love to give it. so when i was in asheville my friend and i decided that it would make a great card. so it has been on my to do list for a while so happy to see it on paper i love it and cant wait to give it away. it is available on my website and the original will be for sale... thanks

one step at a time.

2009-08-31T08:18:00.004-04:00

the last days of summer are just around the corner, while not working trying to take advantage of the water and sun. with the kids back in school i still have one at home until after labor day. i have a show this labor day weekend and work to be done. im working on new designs and having some originals to sell on my website and at my shows.
my tip for other stay at home moms that also work at home:
do what you can
do one thing at a time
make a list
and enjoy your work and your kids as much as possible.
this is my plan for the busy week ahead......
come see me at matthews alive in matthews nc....sat sun mon...

from saturday 2 tuesday

2009-08-26T17:37:00.005-04:00

well saturday we were in raleigh of course i forgot my camera my mother and i did about 3 days worth of work in 24 hours. it did rain but the show was still successful. thanks to everyone who came to my booth...

so with rushing back we all have to get ready for school on tuesday the kids are finally back to school except for christian he goes back after labor day and i will get back to normal schedule.

this is gabby going into 8th grade wow! growing up so fast.

matthew is going to 5th grade christian did not want him to leave.

they all look so cute.

burnesville

2009-08-12T19:26:00.004-04:00

thanks to all of u that i met in burnesville this past weekend. the show was so much fun i had a great time working and spending time with the fam, my mom rented a mountain house and we stayed there it was beautiful and peaceful. cant wait to do it agian next year....
all of my bird designs were a big hit and my new plaques i sold them all.
i will be in cary nc on the 22nd of aug. i have a new product to unveil stay tuned to see......

work in progress

2009-08-02T20:03:00.008-04:00

i suppose almost everything im doing is a work in progress. my work my kids my marriage my life my passion my workouts my my my my everything. okay im not complaining im just saying. everything we do is pretty much a work in progress.

with the summer coming to an end im recapping all the fun we have had ..wow it went by fast .as a working stay at home mom its been pretty scheduled so i can get some work done. we did head to the columbia zoo and lots of trips to the pool and a trip to the mountains.

i started back working in april and my show schedule has increased. its been good going back on the road ive had successful shows so thanks to all who have purchased my work. its a work in progress...

New New New

2009-08-02T19:07:00.011-04:00

okay so i got some new stuff...to show and its for sale . you will be the first to preview. let me know what you think.

new pendants available on line

2009-07-19T16:37:00.013-04:00

here are some of the new pendants i posted to my website i have had them for a while but not able to display on website until now if you click here you will find even more...take a peek!

my passion defines me

2009-07-16T22:51:00.004-04:00

i feel that my passion for art defines and reflects who i am. i hope that others that persue there passion will also relate to this piece...

new words

2009-07-16T08:43:00.006-04:00

every couple of months i savor up all the new words that inspire and touch me. after awhile of reading,writing, sketching and journaling these are the ones that kept coming up over and over. i was reading and this article that drew barymore wrote and in her own words said that happy people are beautiful. i love that and its so true, all the people that i know that are happy are beautiful, its an inspiration for me i need to be happy more. Courage i love what it means and the courage to keep going is what i need to see everyday. love you more well i have had this stone for the last couple of shows its a favorite, i suppose not only i use this phrase. when my husband and kids say ilove you i say love you more.....

not so good right now

2009-06-22T20:31:00.004-04:00

some people have all the luck slash success, and it really is exciting to see when other peoples dreams come true, but i must say the thing that kills me is when you see someones dream come true that you to meaning me have been trying to achieve and for much longer and they pretty much surpass all expectations and you meaning me is still well atleast i feel as if im still chopping away at it and getting pretty much the same distance a i have for the past couple of years. it kind of blows my mind. okay so i have this inspirational line of products that i design that i make (each one by hand) and that i also sell pretty much sell on my own , although today i did get an order from a store in MI. that was good happy news. im signed up on a current mailing list of this artist im sure you can guess who it is that just launch her new line that another co. makes for her, and everything pretty much sold out in hours. i want to be excited but a part of me can not help but be upset i feel like iam doing something wrong and not right. so if i pull out my own inspiration to keep my spirits up, that i put into my own products it would be

everthing happens for a reason
let go and let god
its going to be okay have faith
be yourself
confidence
its time to fly journey explore learn
this too shall pass
surrender all
pray often
realize how good you really are

im sure i have more but thats all i can think of off the top of my head right now.
i just dont understand why my journey has to be as it is.?????
does this kind of stuff happen to you and bother you the way it does me or am i just well i cant think of a good word . im just really upset right now and i need to fight through as i have before and i need to make some major changes in my life with my so called business.

oh and by the way this is a new design that i finished today. i came up with this affirmation while working at a show 2weeks ago when i was writing in my journal.....

Right now there is no peace or balance.....but maybe the more i look at this design it will bring me peace because i really like it its almost exactly what i imagined it to be.......

bird series

2009-06-08T23:39:00.003-04:00

Im trying to do some new paintings i have a few ready to go. i decided to do this one first. sing praise. i just realized after i finished that he is standing on stage singing into the flower as a microphone. OMG that is so funny i will wonder if any one else thinks that before i say anything.

waxmama

2009-06-03T08:30:00.003-04:00

i am in a up write up in http://www.waxmama.com/ today. also check this craftopia show im doing ths weekend....

press, and new packaging

2009-06-01T21:21:00.004-04:00

finally getting some exposure a very talented lady contacted me to be featured in a new magazine she is publishing touched creatively . It is done so well and cannot wait to get my copy you can download or by an actual copy pricing is on the website. On wed i will featured in a daily newsletter from waxmama they are featuring my soulfriends design.

in other news im catching up on alot of loose ends and getting ready to paint some new designs with birds, and flowers cant wait.

i also have new packaging for my pendants so they can be ready for wholesaling and i have some really cute packaging that i designed...thats actually my handwriting . i absolutely love handwriting and how it looks in collages so i decided to use and make my own. i will probably be using it alot in my new series..stay tuned...be sure to check out the websites so you can pass the word along for these new entrepreneurs...thanks

2009-06-01T17:18:00.002-04:00

i need those 2 address from the 2 that im sending the inspire pendants 2. i have looked everywhere i thought i wrote them down. so if you read this can you please email me your address'. i have some down time so i can send them now. sorry it took so long..thanks

blue bird

2009-05-13T22:16:00.002-04:00

I met a lady at a show that makes these blue birds for $5, ive actually known her for several years now, but this day we were meant to cross paths again. I went up to talk to her and she asked how my kids were and i asked how hers were and she said that her son was now in afganistan and her daughter had passed 2 years ago. that was enough to send chills down my spine and by the time we finished i was balling. she was a jr. in college and she was home for xmas they were getting ready to sit down for dinner and she fainted and never came to again they found out she had something wrong with her heart, that could not of been diagnosed so they had no way of knowing. her story was so inspiring of her daughter and the legacy that she left. she was a christian and had touched many lives that her mother had no idea how much of an impact she made until after she had gone, she has many journals that she left behind so she was able to find out all that her daughter did and was. she invited me over to read them sometime. my mother collects these bluebirds and now i do they have little clay balls inside so they make a noise when you shake them. she told me something that day that i will remember always, ihave a daughter and she is 13 not the easiest age, she said just love her through it, i thought that was pretty straight forward and it put me into perspective for what i go through with her. its a great piece of advice. her website is whiterockpottery i will try to link it later, i suck at linking.

OMG

2009-05-12T22:55:00.002-04:00

This is bad i havent blogged in a while I wonder if this means i shouldnt have a blog. I have been going through and doing alot since April. im getting ready for my 5th show in a row. I ve had such a great time getting back to work, i so enjoy doing art shows, i love meeting the people, each show has its own little story that i can take home with me. Ive also been going through some personal issues with child custody from my ex husband we have been divorced for 8 years and we are just now getting it legally done and its not pretty. i hate every minute of it. i feel for those that have to deal with these kinds of things.
On a much lighter note ive actually had some contacts with Co. who want to feature me in their magazines. not good with linking but one is Waxmama.com and the other is creatively touched the issues are coming up soon so i will hopefully be able to show you through the blog. my camera is down stairs i need to be in bed so the fact that im even doing this tonight is unheard of after the week ive had so far and its only tues. I hope to catch up soon.

2009-04-19T12:14:00.000-04:00

its been a busy weekend it always goes by so fast, i wish it was friday again. this was a picture i took a while back hoping to find some creative things to photo in my house this is in the kitchen. when christian was 6 weeks old we had our pic taken. he is now 2 , but every time i see it im reminded of those soft cuddly, quiet days. now i have to deal with the terrible twos, for those of you who dont know me that well im a soft spoken quiet gentle caring person, im the first to say not a harsh disciplinarian. ive always struggled with the discipline. i just pretty much pick my battles and try to do everything to keep them calm. my husband is just the opposite very strict and it drives me crazy i dont feel that a 2 year old should know how to behave perfectly nor should he be yelled at if he does certain things to me thats not how you teach them. but needless to say we are on opposite ends of the spectrum. i dont know if anyone else deals with this but if you have any suggestion let me know. enjoy your sunday afternoon.

its friday!

2009-04-17T12:14:00.007-04:00

these are pictures of my notecards with matching bookmarks that i displayed at my last show, just thought i would throw that in there. i had wonderful person contact me to see if i would like to be published in her new magazine called creatively touched she found me on etsy and she too has lovely inspirational work

i really like her blog too. she is choosing or has chosen some artist so iam flattered that she chose my artwork. i wish her luck and will be posting info on ways to get the new magazine. i cannot seem to hhtml her blog so its in my inspiration which is called enduring arts you can check it out there. i can spend hours trying to figure out how to work this blog it just takes me forever thats why you see everything i do is very simple on here. i should have payed more attention in my computer class or it may just be i do not have the patience.

last things last

2009-04-16T21:41:00.003-04:00

i wanted to post my new design not to thrilled with it but thanks to some followers help i came up with this design for balance. i used the same series girl from be yourself. let me know what you think. im moving on after her i dont want to do too many of the same. i will be mailing the 2 ladies soon i havent forgotten you.