Did I really just change my blog pic again!?

Sheesh.

Food for thought

I have come to a realization that you don't just have to sell your products to become successful, but that there are other mediums to explore as well. Such as teaching. I personally love teaching. Of all kinds. I have taught many things in my years (and I'm not all that old...). A brief background of me: I have ski raced my whole life...from when I was about 3 yrs old up through college and beyond. I raced for University of Massachusetts-Amherst, made it to Nationals all four years, and made All-Conference teams my last two years. I then went on to coach ski racing at the mtn. where I learned to ski. I also have taught swim lessons to babies all the way up to competitive athletes. I have helped out at triathlons...giving advice...giving support. I have worked at a pre-school "teaching" 4 year olds. It may not be algebra and reading, but they need to be taught basic fundamentals! Teaching, to me, is a joy. It is so much fun to help people learn...especially about something you love!

Teaching jewelry classes would probably be a lot of fun. Kids love to learn, but so do adults. I can see having fun teaching all ages. Art class in middle school was always fun for me, but I fell off the bandwagon in high school and college and focused on sports. Now that I have time to create things on my own, I am remembering how fun it is. This great article on Etsy - If You Know It, Teach It! - is totally helpful and right on the money. Check it out! It is rewarding work to teach!

Overall, I think there is a lot more to just creating your art/craft and selling it. You need to socialize about it, go to classes, research it, teach it, and most of all...enjoy it. When that goes away? Well, you're on a steep slide to destruction. Keep up all the hard work but have fun - and if teaching is what helps you do that, look into it! I know I will.

~~I managed to list a few new things, like I said. Have a look - the new summery sand dollar necklace is now in my Etsy shop.~~

Buy this here in my shop!

Happy Tuesday lovely people!

~~LISBET~~

Check out my new jewelry!

Two posts in a day?! Wow! So after my little rant this AM, I did some errands, totally skipped the gym, and came back here to work on jewelry. The better part of my afternoon was spent designing and putting together a few new things and taking photos. If I have time I will get a few of them listed on Etsy. We'll see how far I get, seeing as it is almost dinner time and I have yet to think of that little issue yet. So here are the newbies - make sure to check them out in my shop!

All of these new pretties available on Etsy!

I ended up watching Oprah and making some cute boxes out of scrapbook paper. Check these cuties out! If you want to learn how to make them just go here - great tutorial on Etsy on how to make them. I will probably use them on my desk for miscellaneous jewelry stuff - I have some rings in them right now. Great for gift-giving, packaging, or just for your own studio. They are super easy to make, and if you have left over paper just whip them into little boxes! So don't scrap that paper! Now, since I got distracted doing THAT - I have run out of time to list these new goodies. I'll try and get a couple up on Etsy tonight, if not, you can find them there by tomorrow morning!Cheers!

~~LISBET~~

Another Monday - And Still Pregnant

I may lose it soon! All around me, every one I knew who WAS pregnant and due right before or after me, has had their babies! Like, ALL of them! I am the only one left, just carrying this baby around like I'll be pregnant for the rest of my life! Needless to say, it is aggravating. I know they all come out eventually, but still. My friend just informed me that her sister had her twins on July 4th, and her co-worker who was due a day before me had hers on July 4th, too. AGH! I am just slightly uncomfortable and ready to be rid of a few extra pounds so I can actually move around like a normal human being. Plus Mike is getting overly anxious, and when things aren't planned out, well, he doesn't do so well. That's an engineer for ya. The fact that he doesn't have a date and time for when this baby is coming is killing him. Haha, he'll just have to suck it up! I have to dig myself out of this mini rut this morning and just distract myself. Have some errands to run and then will probably go to the gym for an elliptical session and some lounging at the pool. Yesterday we were at the pool for a swim, and on my way out the manager was like, "Oh man, I hadn't seen you for a few days, thought you'd had that baby!" and some random dude walking out goes, "Yeah, I thought you were going to have that thing in the pool." Ha. Ha. I must look like I'm ready to pop. Here's a pic so you can see that I look like I'm hiding a beach ball - 39 weeks.
Totally time to get going here, before I'm too lazy and tired to do much else. Waiting sucks!

Just a note...

Today I stumbled across Squam Art Workshops. I was reading Country Living, and there is a section on classes/camps for adults...all art related. My parents have a house on Squam Lake, and I spent plenty of time up there as I grew up. To think there is a place offering classes on painting, printing, jewelry-making...EVERYTHING...right around the corner, is awesome. Of course, the fact that I have found out about it while living in New Mexico isn't all that convenient. When we do move back to the area, I will be sure to look into it and see about attending a class. Not only will it be a familiar place, but I will get to learn something new. I love the idea of being able to have all day to be creative, with no other daily tasks at hand. I don't know about you all, but I always find distractions while at home. Being in a creative setting allows you to think freely. The location of Squam is beautiful, and the teachers seem to be inspirational and fun (from what I read on the site...) Funny, the things you find out about at random...who knows if I would have learned about the workshop if I hadn't been reading Country Living?

I did not sleep like a baby last night.

OMG. I got zero sleep last night. Between the struggle to roll from one side to the other, having to pee every hour (literally), back hurting, dogs barking outside, mouse being caught and squealing in our hallway (yes, we have a mouse in the house and it is sooo annoying), and my overall whale-like state, I did not sleep a wink. So. I got up when Mike left for work figuring I was all done trying to sleep for the night. Booo. Oh, and by the way, WHEN did I become a little baby when it comes to mice? We have one around, and I know if I see it come out I will jump on a chair and try to smack it with a broom. Not sure when I became such a pansy...I grew up with cats that brought mice in like it was their job. Somewhere along the line I have digressed. Ew.

For today: baby appt this AM, swimming, and Ron White tonight at Buffalo Thunder! Hahaha! Maybe I'll laugh this baby out, because seems to me he is happy as a clam in my belly. I KNOW he will be overdue, so maybe I can ask the doc to induce me on my due date? Huh? Huh? Yeah? Maaayyyybe? I highly doubt he will do that, unless I have some complications going on...which I haven't, so I'll probably have this little guy in there for at least another ten days. Grrrr. I should smarten up and relax, though, shouldn't I? Just a bad night's sleep talking.

So I found this blog, Barefoot Mommy, and the last post was on LilleBaby Carriers. I already have a Bjorn, which looks to be the exact same thing. I wonder if I will ever us this thing - looks cute, though! Can I look as cute and refreshed as the model in the picture? That would be nice!!
Okie dokie, have a wonderful day!

Lisbet

Creating Wire Wrapped Rings

Part of my Wednesday was taken up by wire wrapping rings! I'm not a master wire-wrapper, but I found it pretty easy to create cool, unique rings to wear! I love rings, and so the idea of creating new ones for myself to wear got me all giddy. After I finished the first one I almost jumped up and down. Then I made a couple more just to try and perfect my skills...still working on that I think! If I keep making these, they will most likely end up as gifts for friends/family. And quite possibly in my Etsy shop if I believe the quality is good enough. I made a few with silver wire, but I really want to get a few made out of the copper wire I have laying around. It'll be a little something different. Sooo anywho, I got the great idea from this great blog I stumbled across - nice little tutorial on how to make rings. Love having new projects to do! So as of now I create earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Next up are anklets - HELLO. It is summer, too, so people can wear them all the time. LOVE love anklets, so maybe next post I'll have some new anklets to show all of you.

The fact that I have time to tinker around in all sorts of crafty media is great, and I wonder what will happen once we have this baby? I wonder if I will just let it get away from me, and my craft area (ahem, guest bedroom) will become dusty and forgotten? I hope not. Maybe for a little while it will, but you people need to help me stick to it! Tell me to jump back on the bandwagon if I fall off! That being said...family comes first, and especially a new baby. :-) So, if I fall behind and you don't hear from me for a bit? No worries, I will be around again to give you all the new info on my new life - if I don't go off my rocker.

Cheers!