Struggles

Last night I was feeling blah. I was feeling discouraged. And I let myself feel this way. I wallowed for a short time, then I decided I needed a plan. So, I began to formulate a plan. And then I tossed and turned last night worrying about more stuff that I hadn't yet dealt with.

So, one of my plans will go into effect soon. I'm thinking a referral journal giveaway, but I haven't worked out all the details yet. Basically, I know that people who have bought my journals love them. And if you refer someone to me and they buy a journal, you'll be entered for a giveaway. But like I said, I'm working on the details.

The other stuff, I'll be tackling today.

Part of it is struggling with this authentic me. I know that writing helps to bring me to my true North. Writing is the art that has always saved me. And I'm working on that. I'm working on making the time. It's hard with 3 teenage boys who are talkative and funny and active. But I just need to make that time.

Another part is photography, and honestly I don't feel it right now. What I feel is a tinge of guilt but I don't feel inspired to do it. I do know that I will return to it. I will enjoy life through the viewfinder at some point.

So what are your struggles today?

Tick Tock

This will most likely be my last blog post before my class starts. There are still 3 days left though to enter the giveaway! And, just so you know, there is still a wee bit of time to register. For class details, go here. I would love to have you join us. The group signed up so far is amazing.

I'm not feeling great today. Didn't take my allergy meds last night so I was congested and coughing a lot... Today I'm going to try to have excellent self-care, and I'm going to take my medication properly. Oh... also today, I will be listing some new journals!

I hope your holiday weekend (if you are in the U.S.) is safe and enjoyable! I'll see you again on Monday!

Excited!!

My giveaway continues. And you can have an entry for EVERY time you share! Please go here to see details and to post when you share.

I am so excited about this class, I can't even begin to tell you! My passion since I can remember has been helping people. And through my struggles in life and in my art, I have learned so much. It is so amazing to me that I'll be able to help others to find their voice artistically, their boundaries with crazymakers, convert their dreams into goals. I am feeling very blessed to be able to help with that process!

I really must give big thanks to Connie of http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/ who has encouraged me every step of the way, along with countless other friends. I appreciate each and every one of you!

A Giveaway

I'd like to offer one of you free entrance into my Artist Empowerment Course starting July 5!

Here's what you need to do to enter. Share this link on twitter/facebook/other places you can think of: http://robynsart.blogspot.com/2010/06/artist-empowerment-class.html and leave me a comment for EACH time you do this!

I will pick a winner on Monday. If you are the winner and you've already paid the entry fee, I will reimburse the fee to you! That's it!

If people have any questions regarding this contest or the class, please direct them to me. My email is robynsart@live.com

Please don't forget to leave a comment each time you promote. And thank you for helping me get the word out!

New Leather Colors! New Inspiration!

Sometimes the smallest thing can trigger inspiration. This week I have 3 new leather colors and inspiration has struck me hard. In addition to the new colors, friends have been contacting me for special orders, so that always pushes me to try new things.

Last night, I dreamed about journal making. Besides the ones available in my shop, I will be starting some one of a kind (OOAK) ones. These will come from my leather scrap bag and the leather piece will dictate the finished size, design, etc. Basically, I will be doing what the leather tells me.

I know how important it is to be in LOVE with your journal! And I fully believe that journaling is the way to map the soul. I want my creations to be able to help you with that process.

If you haven't checked out Connie's Art Journal Love Letters Class, I encourage you to do so. It's ongoing, so you haven't missed the beginning, and you can go at your own pace! Here is what one of her students says about Connie and her class.

I urge you to check her out. Miss Connie is amazing! And when you have a need for a journal to map your soul, I'd love to see you at my shop, www.robynsart.etsy.com!

Kari's giveaway ends tomorrow... she is giving away the most amazing ring. Check it out, and enter, HERE :-)

Meet DesignsbyKari

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

My passion is jewelry. From vintage plastic, or Lucite, to genuine gemstones I have tried it all and love it. All together I’ve been making jewelry for about 20 years. I’ve dappled in all sorts of crafts…I tend to think, “I can do that”. Sometimes it works out; sometimes I destash my goods and leave it to the pros. I always come back to jewelry.

2. How did you get started?

Growing up Mom had a spot in a consignment shop, she made cross stitched pillows and jar lids and such. A few years after the shop closed down we were driving by and it was a bead shop, we looked at each other and said, “lets have a look”. That was it for both of us, since that day we’ve both had our hand in beads of one kind or another. I was 10!

3. What is your inspiration?

I love color! I love to express feeling and emotion through color. You could be wearing the simplest of black dresses, but a bright red necklace, or stunning orange floral ring and it speaks a little to who you are. I’m fond of shiny things that sparkle, hence the new line of gemstone goodies in my shop.

4. How long have you been on Etsy?

I officially celebrated my 1 year Anniversary on Etsy back on January 25th.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would love to say that I see my self having quit my day job and focusing solely on my shop, but my realistic nature won’t allow me to go that far.

So, Balanced! I see that I’ll be able to find a happy balance between family, career and passion. The right mix to allow me to o what I love.

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

Being seen. The online business community is constantly growing. Every day someone else with an idea and the courage to put it out there for us to see is jumping in the pool. I’m fortunate to have friends with blogs to help put me out there!

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

The feedback. I have had some amazing buyers leave me feedback that warms my heart. One woman said she felt like Cinderella wearing a ring I made and another said she hasn’t taken her ring off since she received it. I can imagine the smiles on the faces and that makes every struggle worth it.

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

It fits; right now it’s a bit cramped though. I am lucky to have a job that’s flexible and I can be online listing or promoting when it’s slow. At home, my hubby is amazingly supportive; he will do bath time with the kids or take care of dishes so I can pack orders. He’s in the U.S.Navy and deploys for anywhere from 6 months to 11 months at a time. During that time it’s much more of a juggling act.


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

Playing with my kids, ages 3 and 10, gardening and enjoying my friends.

10. Are there any links you’d like to share?

Steel blue topaz ring
Tangerine Chrysanthemum ring
Peruvian Opal Hoops

I'd like to tell you that I own many of Kari's designs and they are all amazing! She takes a lot of pride in both the quality of her work and the presentation of it!

Now... see the ring in the top of this post?? Kari is offering that as a giveaway item to one lucky reader! You will receive 1 entry for telling me your favorite item at www.designsbykari.etsy.com, 1 entry for following Kari on twitter www.twitter.com/designsbykari, 1 entry for following this blog, and 3 entries for purchasing from Kari. Please leave a message for each qualification!

A winner will be picked by a random number generator on Wednesday, April 21. Please make sure there is a way for me to contact you when you win!

I am driven

I have posted this photo before, but I just love it so much, I wanted to share it again. That's me with my wonderful dad! I was talking to dad last night (it had been way too long, I get so caught up in life), and I always learn so much about myself when talking to him!

A friend told me last week "you know, your ears can hear what your mouth says". And guess what I heard my mouth say last night?? I said, to my dad, "you know, I'm so driven, that it's very hard for me to accept when others aren't." Laziness is a quality that does not set well with me. But, I do know people who are not driven whatsoever. Ok, Robyn, so what?? It's time to move on. I am not going to install a chip in them to give them motivation, so I need to stop letting it affect me.

And Dad, yes, I'm very driven. But it's alright, because I do a lot of self-care as well. I go to bed early, since I get up early. I eat well, I stay hydrated. I just try to stay on top of the millions of ideas whirring in my soul. And yesterday, I took a nap. It was glorious!

I am rambling a bit here. But, as usual, my mind is going into overdrive, and it's not even 5am.

Please go here to see a feature about me, and enter my giveaway!

And while you're here... please leave me a comment. Either about my post or what YOU do to stay motivated

Coming Soon

I've been moving in some new directions, I've mentioned that several times. So what does that mean? Well here's some things to look out for:

I'm moving in a new direction with my photography. I'll still take some photos of flowers and such, but I will also be adding new subject matter soon.

I'll be posting artisan interviews on my blog. One per week, but I'm thinking of doing several the first week to kick start it.

Giveaways. Yep, I will be hosting giveaways. Both for my products, and for others.

Challenges, and tutorials. We all want to be the best, and do our best... let's support one another to get there! If you'd like to be featured in an interview, a giveaway, a challenge, or a tutorial, please contact me!

By the way, the photo I featured today is one I listed last night that sold quickly. Any of the photos in my shop can be made black and white (as I did with this one), so if you have a request, please let me know.