Being Pulled

I'm being pulled in several directions. Not in a bad way. I'm finding so many paths wide open to me and I want to claim them all! At this point, I'm discovering ways to combine them into one large road for me to take.

Yesterday I received a call from a friend. Her father had passed away over the weekend with her whispering in his ear and her hand on his heart. "My Dad MADE me to do that" she told me. What an amazing experience. I've sat vigil, never with my own parent, but I've sat vigil with people whose family had left them in my care. Being there, making that time all about that person... that is really special. Helping through grief... one of the roads.

Empowering, helping, aiding creative types, that's another.

Teaching, another... see how easily these could be combined?

Writing... perhaps that's the blanket over it all. Above all else I must write. I must write about my real world and my experiences. I'll never be a writer who just sequesters herself off...

Life is really amazing. What's it drawing you to do?

Saying Yes

A couple months ago, I made my first leather bound journal. Shortly thereafter, my friend Connie of Dirty Footprints Studio asked me if I was still making journals. (I had sold all of my journals out of my shop and taken a break from them so I could come back with a fresh perspective.) So.... the very day that I put journals back into my shop, Connie asks me if I am still making journals. She is teaching an art journaling class and would like me to make journals for the students who want one like hers.

I almost said no. My inside voices were screaming about how I couldn't do it. About how I'd be setting myself up for disappointment. About how these are ARTISTS and my journals wouldn't be good enough.

Thankfully, though, I talked it over with my soul sister, and she gave me that shove. "Try it at least for 3 months she told me". So, I dove in. I said yes.

I have now made many journals for Connie's students. Many of them look exactly like this. But I have now made several custom journals as well. I have made a special leather bound scrapbook for a wedding, and I also made the journal pictured at the top of this post... a 400 page journal for an aspiring writer.

Remember, a bit after Dad died, I wrote a post about how all I want is to help people, I want that more than anything, but I just felt like I have nothing to give right now? Look what happened when I wasn't even trying to help people... I said yes. I am going with the flow, and now trusting that the ways for me to HELP others will be shown to me, just as this was.

I urge you to check out Connie's blog at http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/

also... check out her Art Journal LOVE Letters online workshop

The next time an opportunity comes rolling at you... think twice before darting out of it's way. You may just want to say yes and see where it takes you.

New Day, New Opportunities

Yesterday I hung my photography at The White Rabbit Bakery in Aurora, Oregon. My work will be on display for the month of April, and if you're in the area, the pastries are more than worth the drive!

I have been amazingly productive this week. I set about 3 tasks to do each evening and I've been getting them done! By this week, I mean from Sunday on... yes, I do realize it's only Wednesday :-).

This weekend will bring amazing opportunities for me. I will tell you all about it really soon! Let's say *fingers crossed* that I may be VERY busy soon! And I will fill you in on it in a couple of days.

You know the no wounded birds rule? Well I've noticed a trend. When people I care about are whining, not taking responsibility, being less than they can be, etc... I don't sugar coat things, I don't hold it in. I just put it out there. If I see a duck, I call it a duck. It's making a difference in how people are reacting to me. I don't take on their issues and make all ok. It's going well.

I hope you do all you can to make today amazing!

Etsy, and the internet, open doors!!

So, in my shop, I'm now at 36 sales!!! Can you believe it? My goal had been 25 by the end of April and I blew right past that! I am so thankful for each and every sale! The bulk of my sales have been photos, or photo related (bookmarks, coasters, etc). You have no idea how much it means to me to snap a picture, list it on there, and have people not only give me amazing feedback via conversations, etc. but to also have them buy it to display in their home!!

Another totally amazing, art affirming thing happened last week, and I hope that I don't jinx it by talking about it in here. I was contacted by an online friend, telling me that her dad is opening his own online business (not a shop on etsy, but a real .com), and would like to use one of my photos as his branding. MY photo!!!! I can imagine that it'll go on his site, his business cards, his letterhead... My head still cannot quite wrap itself around that one! We have yet to fully discuss it, but what an honor! I had to call my dad immediately to tell him!

I'm being purposely vague about it, because the deal has not been sealed. Talks are in the works, and I am honored that I have been asked. It is amazing how the internet has opened so many doors. Not just for me, but for so many who put themselves out there! If any of you have had experiences with licensing an image, I'd love to hear about it. You can email me directly at robyns_art@live.com

This coming weekend will bring lots of new photo opportunities, with a long road trip and a motocross race. Who knows what will make it into my shop!! My only thought to leave with you today... put yourself out there. Things will happen that you could never have imagined before!