A Photography Excursion with my dad

Today Dad and I went out to Spring Canyon to take pictures. The area we went in had a lot of partial buildings in the mountain side. It was truly the area that time forgot. It was quite a fascinating experience, and I will be posting photos soon. The one above is from the very end of our trip.

I'm having a wonderful time with my family. I'll post again when I can.

I couldn't be more glad that it's Friday!

This photo was taken near Multnomah Falls. I can hardly wait to see all the sites that I've photographed in various seasons!

Today is Friday, and next week I am on vacation. It couldn't happen at a better time. I am so burned out on work right now. I need time to breathe, and relax. To get to know my dad better, and to get back to where I know myself again.

My shop may suffer, if I'm not there to promote daily. But my heart and my soul need this time. I feel like it's a time where I can lick my wounds, and heal. So... next week this blog for the most part will be quiet... I think. I can't say for sure though because I have no idea. The week after, though, I should have tons of new photos to share, and hopefully you will see a new, fresh, healthy energized me!

Good Morning to ya!

I had a pretty restless night, and I'm trying my best to be wide awake this morning. My eyes, however, would be very happy to close for a few hours! I've been feeling a little out of sorts this week, getting ready for my trip and all. I'm no longer worried about my business, as the fam can handle that while I'm gone. I just feel like I'm racing against the clock a bit, but when I look at my list, there's not a whole lot on there.

Realistically, I will have all day Saturday to finalize everything. So I have no idea why I'm feeling like this. I have not made a lot of plans for while I'm in Utah. Some plans have been made, but not a ton. I hope to have an overall relaxing time. I wonder if I know how to do that, honestly.

Three of my photos will be in an art show while I am gone. I can hardly wait to get updates on that! And in the day of text messages, I'll be getting updates, all the time.

Well, today and tomorrow at work, and I'm taking off early early Sunday morning. Leaving here, and a 3 hour layover in Denver! Life is pretty awesome!

Meet Gina!

What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?

I am a web and graphic designer. I am also an avid painter but my passion lies in drawing children's art. I love to invent stories and I love the process... of having my story come to live in pictures. I have been sketching and drawing since I can walk. (lol)

How did you get started?

I don't remember exactly...I started drawing on my parents furniture and walls. My Mom told me later that I had made a mural on her living room wall with crayons, watercolor and pencil. She was torn between spanking me and keeping it, since according to her it was fun to look at. Then, I drew portraits of members of my favorite rock bands when I was 12. I loved charcoal drawing back then. I never thought of it as a career or a means to make a living until sometime in my 20's. When I moved from Germany to Los Angeles in 1990, I studied Art and Graphic Design. And that's how my creative journey started. After that, I worked as a web and graphic designer. In 2004 I founded my own greeting card company of whimsical hand embellished note cards. Things became hectic shortly after that. Although it was rewarding, to see it grow, when I became a Mom I needed to get back to basics and sold my card line. Two years later, I started "Indigorain" (my children's line of art prints).

What is your inspiration?

So many things inspire me. My daughter opens my eyes every day.. Her endless imagination and spirit is so magical to me. And the natural world I am living in. A trip to the zoo can produce a new idea. So does a flicker of a moment, a dusty memory or the texture and taste of a foreign place.

How long have you been on Etsy?

My Etsy shop is new. I just launched it in January. I guess I am a fledgeling.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I hope to be able to make a living with my Etsy shop, creating children's art. I am planning on adding canvas art, and beautiful handmade baby books/journals. On a very humble note I would love my shop to be a playground for children of all ages and see my customers returning frequently.

What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?

Hands down the marketing/promotional aspect of it is daunting. It’s easy to get sidetracked and as much as I enjoy the internet for research purposes I can’t get myself to twitter all day. I enjoy the creative process but I don't enjoy selling myself. It seems nearly impossible to find the time for both - creating and marketing. I know people who manage both easily. I am not one of them.

What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?

Receiving thank you emails from customers, telling me how much they (or their children) enjoy my prints and how special they are to them. I had a customer from France who wrote me the sweetest letter saying how much my print meant to her and we ended up discussing the story attached to it. It was my “Where do wishes go? piece and we had a real dialogue about it. She said the sparkle added an amazing touch and we are still emailing each other back and forth. That to me is special.

How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?

In a nutshell, I am Mommy. A the moment I work as a part time freelance designer as well. I am also a wife, daughter, sister and friend. SO i have a lot of responsibilities. Every spare moment that I find, I invest in my creative work. My daughter loves anything artsy, sometimes she even critiques my work . She is 3 ! (lol)

When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?

I love to spend time with my family. We play a lot of tennis. My daughter is a real champion already! My husband hopes to see her at Wimbledon. She is 3! (lol) I also write children stories, poetry and love to cook. I'm passionate about yoga and when I still find a free moment. I let myself dream.

Links I like to share.

http://www.indigorain.etsy.com/

Not long now!

It's just a few short days now til I go to Utah. I'm keeping up on my to do list so I'm not too overwhelmed, and I am so amazingly excited. If I didn't have that to do list, I'd probably be going insane!

I got my application for the spring craft show. I'll fill it out and turn it in before I go. I'm also taking all the makings for small journals so I can have a sort of make and take with my nieces. Aside from the journal making though, I'm sure it'll be all about photography. My own little retreat. In so many ways... I'll get away from my job for a week, but I'll also reconnect with family and have some quiet time as well. Last time we went to Utah, we were on the go... so many people to see... so much to do. And so many in my family unit to please, like as far as seeing/doing everything. But not this time.

I'll be spending a couple of nights at my brother's house, but the bulk will be spent at dad's. No rush, no hurry... that might be difficult for me. I constantly am doing something. I will figure it out. I do know I will be journaling quite a bit. I have some things I need to figure out. And most likely I will be planning out where I want this business to take me.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Annual Sushi Dinner

Every year my ex hosts a sushi dinner in honor of our friend Eric who was killed by a drunk driver in 2002. The dinner was on Valentine's day this year (he died on 2/15). This year was the best one by far. Everyone was in an amazing mood. It was truly all about Eric, and about fun.

It was an exhausting weekend, and it's going to be a whirlwind week in preparation for my trip to Utah. So much to do! I stocked up on flash drives and sd cards for my camera. I'll be coming home with so many images that I will probably be sorting for a week! And I will love every moment of it.

I hope it's a wonderful Monday for all of you!

Wordless Weekend

Only 9 more days TGIF

Wow... this trip is really sneaking up on me! It doesn't help my stress level that I will be out of town all this weekend. But I will be prepared. A relaxing weekend away from home may be just what I need.

I do have a lot to do prior to my trip... but I'll list it out and check it off. Not a big deal.

My friend Connie has been doing an artist's talk radio show for a couple of weeks now. She has all the details on her blog! I have listened to the archived shows, and there's some good stuff going on over there! Hopefully one of these days I will be free on a Sunday and can listen to it live, and maybe even call in and interact! I do urge you to check her out! I think it's amazing that we can listen to her show even if we are not free at the time it airs! Connie is doing a beautiful job of promoting fellow artists. She is an amazing woman!

Today will be spent preparing for my trip... well, both of them. And applying for an art show. And promoting my shop. And talking with the CCA. Yay!!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful day!

Amazing things are happening!

Last week, here in the Portland area, a local radio station held a fundraiser for the Children's Cancer Association. They raised somewhere around $270,000. It was a 28 hour long radio broadcast, and there was no part that I listened to that I did not get so choked up. I have been so lucky, having 3 healthy children. And I wanted to do something... something to give to these families.

So I called and emailed the CCA. Offering to take pictures of 10-12 kids a month and making one of my photo pendants with each picture to give one to each family. Well, the email is lost out there somewhere, but the phone call was read, passed to two or three people verbally, then emailed to the contact it needed to go to.

And she called me yesterday!!! However, it's funny how things work out. She was only told that I'm a local photographer wanting to donate my services, so when she called me she was talking about me being 'on call' as it were, to go take photos of kids and their families when they've been told they don't have very long. Like... going into their home with them and just making a photo record of their family. She said she did not know if that would interest me. I was almost in tears. What an honor to be asked to do this!! Wow!

I did go on to talk to her about my pendants and we started the email conversations about me donating those, so I hope to hear back from her today. I was so excited yesterday that I was shaking.

You know... my sister in law had been talking to me about patience, weeks ago. It has been something that I needed to work on. I wanted everything to happen instantly, I always have. But I am really starting to see now how things happen in their own time. Yeah, I work towards them, and I pursue them... But this photo thing, I had to give it a week to breathe, then it happens! I am learning so much about life.


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Update!! Starting today, 100% of any photo pendant purchase in my shop will go towards funding my CCA endeavors! www.robynsart.etsy.com

Interview with Ruthie from Roseworksjewelry

What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?

Do I really have to pick just one? LOL Jewelry is my main focus/business and I've been doing it for around 10 years now. I've recently picked up cross-stitch again, but I can't even begin to figure out how long I've been doing that! I was pretty young when I first started... And other than that, I love to learn any crafts I can!

How did you get started?

A former Bible study leader got me started doing basic "link" wire-work when I "graduated" from her group :) I've picked up the rest of the techniques I use in various random places over the years.

What is your inspiration?

I find inspiration just about everywhere I look! Seriously, I've had the most random things inspire me, like someone's sandals... I love to look at other people's work, web-sites, magazines, and usually best of all, my own bead stash! Since I do so many different types of crafts (even within just the jewelry realm) I tend to never run out of ideas.

How long have you been on Etsy?

Since May of 2008.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Rich and famous? LOL Seriously though, I have a lot of health problems that we're working through with the doctors, I'd like to see myself healthier and more functional in five years. Going alone with that, I'd like to regularly be involved in selling my work at craft fairs, bazaars, and markets. I'd love it if my jewelry and other crafts could help support me and my husband :)
What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?
Hands own, the hardest part is getting your name out there. There are many cost effective (or free) ways of doing this, but it takes discipline! Especially in the jewlery market which is highly saturated.

What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?

I love hearing that people love my work! It's very affirming :) And it amazes me to realize that people all over America, and even a few in Europe, are wearing my jewelry! It's not an overly large number yet, but it's growing steadily!

How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?

At this point in my life my business is my job. It doesn't really support me and my husband, but I have too many health challenges right now to maintain a regular job.

When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?

I stop crafting? Ok, so I do from time to time. I actually spend a lot of time reading blogs, advertising my business, talking to lots and lots of people, writing, and I love to read fantasy and scifi!

Are there any links you'd like to share?

Plenty of them! I have two shops, the second one I share with my Mom :)www.roseworksjewelry.etsy.comwww.kstreasures.etsy.com

And three blogs :P

www.roseworksjewelry.blogspot.com

www.roseworkstreasury.blogspot.com

www.ajedismusings.blogspot.com

I also have the honor of doing a radio show every Thursday at 9pm EST where I interview artisans live on the air!

Come join us at:www.blockheadradiolive.com

And if you want to follow me on Twitter you can find me at:www.twitter.com/rosewksjewelry.

Thanks again Robyn!

At your Request

This photo was taken about 30 seconds before the photo in the previous post. I have no idea why the fog, but it scared the crud out of me and I exited this abandoned barn right after the 2nd photo was taken!

Trudging on

I had a bit of stomach flu in the middle of the night and feel pretty worthless this morning. But I am going to try to go to work. And hopefully I can just work through it. The only thing with something like this is the exhaustion that accompanies it. I feel like I could sleep for a week.

The above picture is inside the same barn as the photo from yesterday, just facing the opposite wall. There was a picture I took immediately before this one that looked like a big fog cloud was right in front of the ladder on the left. This one was taken about 15 seconds later and it was gone. Weird, huh?

Last night I made 2 new 8X10 journals and I will list them today. Today after work I will hopefully list a couple of the 6X8, and they should be ART journals!! I've mentioned that I went to the paper store on Sunday. Well, I felt all the paper, I asked questions, I wandered around. And I bought some thicker paper for my art journals. Paper that will stand up to not only crayons, markers, colored pencils, pen, and ink like all of them will... but paper that will stand up to wet media as well!

I am also toying with the idea of offering journals with affirmations or quotes dispersed through them. That is in the planning stage. It's a journal sort of week! I also received a special order of 5 of the 6X8 ones to take on my trip, so I will be working on those very soon!

Hopefully the coming weekend will bring photo opportunities... we will be traveling. In 2002, we had a friend killed by a drunk driver. He was a very close friend to me, my husband (now my ex), and our children. So every year he has a sushi dinner in honor of our friend, Eric. It's always a nice occassion where we can remember...

I hope that we find the energy today to do what makes us happy. And can breeze through the necessary parts of our day.

Here's to a brand new week!

Saturday was an utterly lazy day. I did nothing but load the dishwasher. Aside from that, I watched a movie, I took a nap... I think I may have even taken a shower.

Sunday, however, was so productive! We went to a paper store in downtown Portland (thanks for the input littleput!), I spent an hour there just feeling all the different weights and types of paper. A small slice of heaven, let me tell you! Then we went to several different stores for me to place fliers for my Etsy store. And we went to the fabric store, where I bought several different fabrics to try as covers on my journals.

Then we came home and I made a special wedding keepsake journal for a customer, and I made an 8X10 journal, and did the prep work for about 5 more. This morning, I'm going to do a few more steps.

The only thing that would have made this weekend better is if I had gone out for a photography day. But as it is, I got some good macros while we were wandering.

I wonder what this week will bring... more photos, that's a given. And some new journals will be listed. I will be doing a lot of marketing... and hopefully some amazing sales will follow!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday! Life is what you make it!

Wordless Weekend from Silver Falls

TGIF

I am so glad that it's Friday! I just got off the phone and he said we're at 16 days and counting! I am so excited about my trip! I am going to have so many photos when we are done, he said we'll be able to go out several days. And you know how I've been freaking out about so much to do? Well, I'm making daily lists and checking the things off one by one. It's calming to lay it out like that.

I don't have a lot to say this morning, my list for today is floating in my head, and I have a couple of things to do before I leave for work. I hope it's an amazing Friday for you all!

Time for a break...

I so badly need a break. And that will come when I go to Utah. I will be going on the 22nd, so it's not far away. Until then... a million things to do. This weekend I'm going to a paper store to get an education. I'll be starting to make art journals/ scrapbooks for my shop and I want the paper to be able to withstand most anything! I will feel like I'm in heaven, wandering around a paper store.

Also, after our trip to Silver Falls, we drove back on some back roads and I'm just aching to go back so I can take some pictures of some awesome old buildings and barns! Dad has been brainstorming about where we might go on our photo day there. I'm glad I will be there a week because we don't have to be out all one day... we can take chunks of time here and there depending on what he has going on and how he is feeling. And while I'm there, I will gather some of his photos to bring back so I can post them periodically!

Of course, I'm really looking forward to seeing my brothers, sister in laws, and their children! I told my sister in law the other day that I want to be the totally awesome hippie chick aunt to her girls. Oh, that reminds me, something else I need to do... I'm taking my excess craft supplies down there for them. Anything to inspire, you know?

I am still in talks with the wedding photographer and hopefully something will work out there soon. Well, after my trip. Want to hear something funny? My husband was going to get me direct flights when I go see my dad, but I told him that I really love layovers, so I have one each way! I am thrilled about that. I'll have my camera in hand and wander! 2 1/2 hours in Denver, 1 in San Francisco. Yay!!

I hope for a wonderful Thursday for you all!

I'd like you to meet Kevin!

What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?

Airbrush, I have been working professionally forn sixteen years.

How did you get started?

I attend classes at the Indianalois Art Center. Ater finishing the course,I practiced three to four hours a day,after one month I decided to try and sell my work. I set up an easel in my front yard to attract attention within one hour I made my first sale, after one month I decided to make my living as an airbrush artist. I traveled from Elyria Ohio down to Florida selling my work along the way.

What is your inspiration?

I give credit to the Great Creator that blessed me with my talent. My Earthly inspirations are many, I would have to say the most important is Julia Cameron author of the"Artist's way" Her book motivated me to put my talent into action, and to have the courage,and confidence in myself to forge ahead.

How long have you been on Etsy?

One month! I am very new, so I am in the learning stages, I have much work to do. I guess the work never stops as I believe one must constantly evolve,and improve in order to survive.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully successful enough to employ several airbrush artists. Possibly expanding the business to include screen printing of my airbrush designs.

What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?

Getting my shop noticed! If people don't know you are there you have no business.I have found this to be more challenging than I had thought it would be. I am constantly promoting, networking,and learning new ways to promote my Etsy shop.

What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?

Being able to work from my home.This cuts the cost of rent on a brick,and mortar shop.That money can be used to buy stock,sundries,and to promote my business. It also cuts travel expenses.

How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?

This is it for me.I am a dedicated full time airbrush artist,online business person. I feel fortunate to be able to dedicate the time it takes to make a successful business.

When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?

I spend my time with my Father,I like to make him laugh,and do things for him that he can't do for himself,as he is seventy seven years old. I also like to read good books, and cook.

Are there any links you’d like to share?

This is my Etsy shop http://www.fantasyair4u.etsy.com/

This is my instructional video http://www.youtube.com/kevsart

Here is a link to my flickr slideshow for anyone that would like to see my work. http://flickr.com/photos/34598641@N05/sets/72157612805911833/show/

Click on any of the photos for more information! Thank you Kevin!

A tribute to Dad

So... I've been planning this post for a couple of weeks. I've had some glitches, the main one being snail mail. But finally, all pieces are here and I'm ready.

The top two photos are taken by my sister in law Jai. She has recently started pursuing photography as a hobby. Dad has offered to take her out on a photo day and help her to see things through a photographer's eyes. Who knows, they might wait til I get there to go. So... Jai sent some pictures. These are two of the ones she sent me, I will be sharing others as time goes on. Here's what Jai had to say.

"To my father in law who gave me inspiration to take the pictures. The beauty of the sunsets represents who he is to me as a person. The snowy mountains are beautiful to me so I chose these pictures for him as well."

Dad... you've inspired me as well. You have taught me that life's too short and if you don't take opportunities, they may not come around again. And as far as photography goes, you've taught me to snap away... and I've begun to look for those sunrises and sunsets that you cherish so much. Each time I go out to take photos, I want to share them with you. And I know that you are right there with me, in my heart.

We really appreciate you, Dad... I just wanted you to know that. Now send me some pictures so I can share more of yours as well!

Silver Falls...

Yesterday we hiked at Silver Falls. We hiked a 5 1/2 mile loop that included 7 waterfalls. Each waterfall was gorgeous, but seeing them all in one hike was more than amazing. I should have some new photos up in my shop soon... photos and photo pendants. And some coasters.

Tomorrow, after quite a delay, will be the special post I was talking about last week. And since my trip is in 3 weeks, my class will be offered after that. So hopefully the 2nd week of March. I hope I have some people interested by then. If you are, please email me at robyns_art@live.com

In high school, my best friend's name was Jason. Last time I saw him was at the 10 year reunion. Well, next year is our 20 year reunion, and Jason's wife contacted me on facebook. He has been looking for me. So hopefully, he and I will talk soon!

There is so much to do before my trip. I tend to get overwhelmed. So today, I should make a little list and just start getting stuff done. But while I'm in Utah.... I'm not going to worry about anything :-). I will have someone here to hang my stuff in the art show, and someone here who can ship out anything that's ordered. Life is good.

Happy Monday... think of all the wonderful possibilities of this week!

It's going to be a great day!

First of all, just so you know, I'm offering free shipping in my etsy shop starting today, through next Saturday!

Now... for my exciting news! I am dragging the family out to go hiking today at Silver Falls. I will be taking tons of pictures and posting them soon!

My dad should be going home from the hospital today, and hopefully he will continue to recuperate because I'm going there in the end of February!!! I almost flew there the other day when he was in the hospital. But then I started thinking. I'd rather not just swoop in when he is very ill. I want to go at a time when I can spend some time with him!!! So, I'll be there a week, and if he is up to it we will go on a photo taking day. What an amazing opportunity for me to be able to learn from him. I have a lot of planning to do. And I will do my best to post at least 2-3 times that week.

I hope you all have an amazing Sunday.