White noise and beyond...

I don't know about you, but every once in a while I come to a grinding halt as I journey through any kind of project in life, whether it be spring cleaning, staying on track with health and fitness, or in this case, keeping on moving in getting my jewellery business promoted.

It's like white noise ...you don't realise the noise is going on until either someone draws your attention to it, or it stops and then there's the noticeable silence that you didn't notice wasn't there. You know what I mean?

With my jewellery business I've yet to complete the business card and label, to finalise how I'm packaging my product, having the perfect photography and getting it to my hairdressers salon and local cafe/store both of which I mentioned in my last blog. Days, then weeks go by and still there has been very little movement towards the completion of these things. So what I realised just before is that what I've been doing is waiting. Waiting for my talented 19 year-old son, Israel, to have the time to create my card and take more photos. It's the waiting, ya see, that has been the white noise here. And what I've also realised is that though he's willing to help, he just doesn't want to make it a priority right now. And I completely understand that! So we'll chat this afternoon about whether he really wants to do it or not, and if he does, when would he be willing to commit his generous time?

Realising this has created a whole new opening for me in which to take positive action. So I contacted a fantastic friend, Briar, and said to her, "I need you." That I love her positive inspiring way of being that has me keep moving forward. And she loved that - after all, what true friend doesn't love to be called upon when  they're most needed? So we're gonna get together next week in her new creative studio and do what we do best: blab non-stop to eachother about Life, The Universe and Everything intermingled with raucous laughter, while we create our stuff.

And I texted her brilliant daughter to ask for a tutorial in making this blogspace rock! She'll still be asleep right now, as teenagers often are in the middle of the afternoon, but I expect she'll be happy to help out.

So really, the message here is: when you feel stuck, just acknoweldge that. It's natural and normal and an important part of life and the creative process. And then reach out; do whatever it takes, whether it be a baby step or giant leap, for you to get back on track in having the life you choose.

A demain...(which I think is French for spotcha later, or something like that)

Testing, testing 1,2,3...

Well, it's been just great testing my jewellery for the market as it were, with family and friends of different tastes and ages. I've made about 10 sample pieces so far and each time I come up with a new piece, they say something like, "Oooh! I want that one!" in a tone of voice that almost says they feel as though they've missed out on it. The most unexpected compliment has come from my very old-fashioned, stick-in-the-mud, extremely (sometimes painfully) honest father, bless his little cotton socks, who said to me the other day that if he was a woman, he would wear my jewellery. Wow, I'm chuffed.

Thanks to my shop at www.blissings.felt.co.nz I've sold some online already. And once I also put some focussed energy into getting my profile out there in www.blissingsjewellery.etsy.com, I reckon my little creative business could really hum. My multiple award-winning, very trendy hairdresser wants to sell my pieces in his high-class salon (what a compliment) as well as Jungle Patrol, my wonderful local cafe/store - David the owner said to me in that wounded how-dare-you-not-ask-me tone of voice "Ahem, excuse me, but I have shop you can sell those in!"

Yes, it all portends good things...

And just before I go, have you ever bought a bracelet that the shop assistant has kindly done up for you and then when you go to put it on yourself some time later, you just can't quite manage it cos it's so fiddly? Well, for a couple of months now, I've been trying to think up an original way to create catches that are really easy to do up with one hand for my bracelets and by golly, by George, one idea just sprung up out of the blue not 10 minutes ago! I can't wait to try it out to see if it works...

Watch this space...

xox

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck?

Whew! I've just chucked 3 cubic metres (one cord) of wood over the fence to be stacked, and scooped and shovelled and swept up all the little bits, too. Yay me! :o) Now my son can do the stacking over the next couple of days as my job here is done.

I also helped my father pick some speakers for his laptop so he can listen to his favourite music with decent sound. He bought his first ever CD today: '50 Big Band Classics'. I set it all up on his computer and typed in all the names of the songs from both discs cos they only had Track 1, Track 2 etc. I've been suggesting he get some kind of music player for years and finally he has! When he heard the music he was moved to tears, bless his little cotton socks. I think it's been years since he's had the pleasure.

I haven't done a thing today towards creating more jewellery, I have to admit. Being with my father took much longer than I thought and by the time I got home, I had to chuck the wood. Still, I'm satisfied with my day and that, folks, I reckon is the main thing. More and more we hear how just Being Happy is what draws to us what we want. It has us just be happy.

One thing I did do last night was create a Facebook page for 'Blissings Jewellery'. It's just another step in going public but as it's been said, the journey of a thousand steps begins with the first one.

Thanks for listening and toodle-loo!

Hot Chocolate + Blogging, Beads & Bargains

For some who are reading this, it's summertime. But here in New Zealand it's Winter - boy, is it winter: rain rain rain, wind, hail, clouds. I'm all cosied-up with the log burner going, a blanket over my lap and a yummy hot chocolate complete with organic cocoa and carob, chocolate drops, brown sugar and warm frothy milk...mmm...all is well.

I think my eyes have turned square! I can't believe how long I've spent on the computer in the last 24 hours as I look into blogging, downloading free stuff suggested by Kelly Rae of www.kellyraeroberts.com to begin to pretty-up my posts. I can tell I'm gonna have to really apply myself to learning Photoshop (right now I leave Photoshop up to my brilliant and patient son who's an expert) so that I can move up the scale from beginner blogger all the way up to blowing my own socks off and  yours with what I'm capable of!

I'm very excited because a new batch of beads for my jewellery has arrived today. I was buying them from a local shop and I thought they cost just a liiiiitle too much for my liking. After weeks of searching I found a wholesaler with great prices who had most of the beads for which I had been hunting. I pat myself on the back for my cancerian tenacity :o)

I absolutely love a bargain, don't you? There's something about the detective-like commitment it takes to find what I'm looking for. And when I finally find it, I let out a satisfied and gotcha-like "Ahhhh".  

Do you have any great bargain-hunting-finding stories you'd like to share?

Well, it's time to go prepare some baked veggies for me and my son, Israel. It's time to take a break from this computer.

Spotcha! :o)

My Very First Blog Ever!

www.blissingsjewellery.etsy.com
www.blissings.felt.co.nz

Hi there and welcome to my first ever blog! Please bear with me as I fugure out how to get this whole site really rockin'.

I'm new to this blogging thing. Creating them, that is. There's so much available to do this that it's a weensy bit overwhelming for me...not that that's gonna stop me, 'cos I love to write. I love words and being succinct, precise and potent with what I write.

I've entered the world of blogging for a couple of reasons:

1. I want to promote my creative business and share the journey with you.
   
2. I absolutely love people and have a strong desire to share knowledge and wisdom that I've gained from my few decades on this beautiful planet. If any of what I share makes a difference to even one person, then mission accomplished.
3. I love radiant health, so from time to time I'll be sharing recipes for oh-so-good for you foods, mainly raw, and yummy baking recipes as well that may not be so good for the body, but oh-so-good for the soul. :)
   

Thanks for taking the time to read my very first blog.

Why I love to create:

Everything, I think, in the Universe has burst into life from a Great Creative Force. It's the very nature, the essence, of everything. Human Beings are a magical vessel through which this creative force expresses itself, be it a baby or a building, a painting or a flower arrangement. All of it is this very Force being expressed. It's as natural as breathing in and out.

And so, my creations are the fulfillment of the expression of Creative Force. It's not that my jewellery is completely and utterly unique, because the inspiration comes from already-created objects from others that have caught my eye, but rather an idea is seeded, incubates and gestates until it's time to give birth to it. Be sure to check out the photos page to see the jewellery. You'll also see the web addresses from where you can purchase the jewellery.

Just as DNA squares - remember those from primary school science class - give several combinations of individual features that make up a complete look, my creations can be varied: plain and shy, or out there in your face and everything in between. It's always unexpected, and the ideas that insist on being manifested are the ones I bring to life. Just as the seed that falls to the fertile ground in perfect conditions can't help but burst out of itself and grow, so my creations come bursting through me.

When I'm creating time seems to disappear. I have unlimited amounts of energy and it can feel like sleep can even interrupt the flow ( but I gotta sleep so I do). Do any of you find that too? I'd love you to share your thoughts on what you might think creativity is.

Ciao for now...

Blissings
Jax